This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
Shehzana Anwar, a 30-year-old Kenyan archer, has made a name for herself in the sport she loves. Born into a family of sports achievers, Shehzana's journey in archery began at a young age.
Shehzana's first encounter with archery was in 2002, during a family outing at the former Splash Grounds in Lang'ata Road. A game of shooting balloons with arrows sparked her interest, and she was soon signed up for regular sessions at the club.
Shehzana's passion for archery grew, and she began competing in local tournaments. Her breakthrough came in 2005, when she represented Kenya at the World Games in Germany. Shehzana's dedication to the sport eventually paid off, and she became the only Kenyan to qualify for the 2016 Olympics as an archer.
Shehzana's experience at the Olympics was a highlight of her career. She bore the Kenyan national flag during the opening ceremony and competed in the women's individual event. Although she did not win a medal, Shehzana's participation in the Olympics was a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
Shehzana's love for archery is not just about competition; it's also about the sense of calm and concentration it brings her. Unlike adrenaline sports like football and basketball, archery requires deep focus and calmness, qualities that Shehzana lacked as a child. Through archery, she has learned to control her emotions and find peace in the sport.
Today, Shehzana is not only a skilled archer but also a coach and trainer. She works part-time at a pharmaceutical company and teaches archery classes to earn a living. Despite the lack of commercialization in the sport, Shehzana remains committed to archery and hopes that more opportunities will become available for archers in the future.
