Nico Benade has been a competitive archer for the past 13 years focusing on FITA, Field and Indoor archery. He is currently one of South Africa’s top archers in FITA, Field and Indoor with numerous titles and records behind his name. He was the first archer in Africa to break the 550 mark in Field archery and the 1400 mark in FITA. His bow of choice for competition is the Conquest 4 , Apex 7 and Apex 8.
International titles
- African Field Archery 2005: Champion
- World Field Archery 2008: Champion
Records & best achievements
- Current SA record: FITA round (1405/1440)
- Current SA record: FITA single 70m (354/360)
- Current SA record: FITA single 50m (354/360)
- Current SA record: FITA double 70m (698/720)
- Current SA record: FITA double 50m (699/720)
- Current SA record: FITA indoor elimination round (120/120)
- Current SA record: SANIFA Field (Field round, 552/560)
- World Field Archery USA 2004: 8th place
- African Field Archery 2005: Champion
- World Field Archery Australia 2006: 8th place
- World Field Archery 2008 Namibia: Champion
- FITA Field Nationals 2008: Champion
- Best Field hunter round: 551/560
- Best Indoor: 300 (56 X’s)
- World Cup 2009 men’s team event: Bronze medal
- 2009 Shanghai, World Cup stage 4: Bronze, men’s team event
- 2010 Turkey, World Cup stage 2: Gold, men’s team event
- 2010 Delhi, Commonwealth Games: Bronze, men’s team event
- 2010 KZN Provincial FITA: National double 70m record (703)
- 2011 IFAA African Regional Field Archery Championships (ARFAC) : Gold
- 2011 World Indoor Champs : Bronze
Nico first got involved in the sport of archery when a friend introduced him to 3D archery and bow hunting. The biggest piece of advice Nico gives to new archers is, “Learn from and listen to the real experts. Practice according to a plan to reach realistic goals. If possible get yourself a mentor that you trust and most of all have fun.”
Nico’s most memorable archery moment is being the first archer in Africa to break the 1400 score in FITA.
Nico’s hobbies include woodworking and wind shooting with his son. Nico also hunts warthogs because it is a challenge and great fun.
