Martha Padmore before the second day of recurve archery competition at the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana.
Martha Padmore’s potential as an archer was spotted while she was rifle shooting in 2006 in her home country of Barbados. Once she picked up a bow, she never looked back.
Martha shoots recurve archery, which is the most physically demanding discipline in the sport. Recurve bows do not have the mechanical assistance found in compound release bows, requiring the athlete to draw and hold the full weight of the bow. “I like a challenge, and recurve is a challenge,” shares Martha. “It’s a game-changer.”
To stay in shape, Martha hits the gym five days a week in addition to archery practice. “I eat, sleep, and play archery, I love it,” she notes.
This formidable competitor went into the second day of recurve competition leading the women’s 60-64 age division with a score of 753. She enjoys the environment of the National Senior Games and says the people are the best part of the competition. “I look forward to it every two years. They are very competitive, and I enjoy that.”
Martha already has her sights set on the 2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana in Pittsburgh, which will be her fifth time at The Games. No doubt she will continue to be a force to be reckoned with!
Father Inspires Son to Return to Archery Roots
Father and son Joey Gautreaux, right, and Al Gautreaux, left, on the archery field.
Sometimes a small spark can rekindle a past joy.
For Joey Gautreaux, that moment came while watching his father Al compete in archery at the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Joey was a successful youth archer, winning a junior state title at 13. Then football came along and archery fell by the wayside.
“When I went to nationals to watch him shoot, the fever hit and I was back in it,” Joey says on returning to the sport.
Al will have plenty of insider tips to pass along to his son as a five-time National Senior Games veteran. This is just the beginning of a new journey for this father/son duo!
