For the first time in history, a team of archers from the Virgin Islands traveled regionally to compete in an official IFAA Field Archery Competition. On June 18, 2025, three compound archers journeyed to the beautiful twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago to represent the VI in the Trinidad and Tobago Field Archery Championships.
The championship featured 28 targets each in the Field, Hunter, and Animal Rounds—a true test of endurance, precision, and adaptability across rugged terrain. The goal? Earn classification scores and measure skill against some of the best in the region, all over a three-day grueling trek through rainforest conditions.
Each round of the competition presented its own unique challenge:
- Field Round: Archers shoot at black-and-white targets set at marked distances from 20 to 80 yards, navigating real-world terrain that demands strong judgment and form.
- Hunter Round: Similar to the Field Round but at shorter and often more difficult distances (11 to 70 yards). Targets have black faces with white centers, making precision even more critical on unmarked ground.
- Animal Round: Archers aim at life-like animal picture targets at marked or unmarked distances, using a vital area scoring system. Each successive arrow scores fewer points, simulating a high-pressure hunting scenario.
Despite heavy rainfall brought on by passing tropical waves, the event pushed forward. With 112 arrows per day, the team pressed on through muddy, swampy courses, from one target to the next. But the harsh weather only added to the experience—and the story.
Meet the Archers:
- Xavier Buxo competed in the Senior Male Unlimited Compound division. He faced unexpected equipment failure when a part of his arrow rest broke. Forced to borrow a replacement mid-competition, it affected his performance—but not his spirit. Xavier still managed to bring home gold, a testament to his resilience and experience.
- Khailic Georges Cruz, competing in the Senior Compound Bowhunter Unlimited division, made history as the first archer ever to compete in this category in Trinidad and Tobago. This division is one of the most demanding: archers use fixed sight pins, and once the competition begins, no adjustments are allowed. It’s a true test of distance judgment, equipment mastery, and mental toughness.
“I expected it to be rough—it’s Field Archery after all,” said Khailic. “It was more intense than what we usually shoot back home, but I really enjoyed the experience and the people. This was a totally enjoyable event.”
- Ritseeniyah Georges made her debut in the Senior Female Unlimited Compound division. The mud and waterlogged terrain posed a serious challenge, but Ritseeniyah took it all in stride. After finishing day one completely exhausted, she rebounded with renewed focus and determination. “This is the archery I love—the nature, the elements, the unexpected situations, and learning how to adapt at a moment’s notice to get that shot,” she said. “Even though I do not like frogs, I walked through it all. When I locked in for the shot, the sounds of the frogs disappeared.” Reflecting on her results, she added: “I surpassed my personal goal in the Animal Round, and that was my signal to raise the bar higher. I truly want to thank the Trinidad and Tobago Field Archery Federation for the invitation and the incredibly welcoming atmosphere. The food was amazing, the people were like family—thank you.”
After three intense days, all three archers brought home gold medals, proudly representing the Virgin Islands. Due to equipment issues, Xavier was unable to compete on day three, but his outstanding performance in the earlier rounds earned him top honors in his division.
This championship was a valuable learning experience for the VI team as they set their sights on future events. The World Field Archery Championships feature extended rounds and require even greater stamina and preparation. The team now plans to attend another event in the region to fine-tune their skills before stepping onto the world stage. While still waiting for classification results from IFAA, they will be practicing for the next event.
One thing is clear—Trinidad has earned a special place in the hearts of our archers, and this historic journey marks only the beginning of what’s to come.
