Eric Bennett

Quick Facts

• Began shooting archery at 7 years old
• Was in a car accident at the age of 15 that cost him his right arm
• Married to his wife, Rachel, and has a son, Logan, and a daughter, Natalie
• Was encouraged by his father to give archery another try after nearly 10 years away from the sport
• The first time he shot a bow after losing his arm, he used a bow modified to hold with his feet
• Is a high school physics and engineering teacher, and taught Olympic archer Brady Ellison
• Made his first world team in 2007, and went on to become the first American to compete in two different disciplines (Compound and Recurve) at two different Paralympic Games
• Is the first American to win a World Championship in the Para Recurve division
• Hobbies include fishing, camping, and movies.

Paralympic Experience

• 5-time Paralympian;
• Paralympic Games Paris 2024, 17th (Individual Recurve Open - Men)
• Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, 9th (Individual Recurve Open - Men, Team Recurve Open - Mixed)
• Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, 8th (Individual Recurve Open - Men)
• Paralympic Games London 2012, 4th (Individual Recurve Standing - Men)
• Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, 9th (Individual Compound Open - Men)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2023 – 9th (Team Recurve Open - Men), 33th (Individual Recurve Open - Men)
• Years of participation: Individual Recurve Open - Men 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023; Team Recurve Open - Men 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023; Team Recurve Open - Mixed 2022; Individual Compound Open - Men 2007, 2011; Team Compound Open - Men 2007, 2011
• Medals: 3 (2 gold, 1 silver)
• Gold – 2019 (Team Recurve Open - Men); 2015 (Individual Recurve Open - Men)
• Silver – 2019 (Individual Recurve Open - Men)