Archery: The Story Behind
I am often asked why I chose to practice archery and some even want to know why I train in Bangkok, rather than my home country Romania. The truth is that, before my first contact with archery in early 2009, I’ve never shot an arrow in my entire life. Having in mind that I’ve been in Thailand since 2002, it comes without saying that I’ve started practicing archery in Bangkok and, until now, I’ve never even shot a single arrow in Romania. Though, in international events, I do shoot for Romania.
I’ve always been interested in martial arts and had practiced aikido since high school. After I had moved to Thailand, I continued training in aikido and other martial art dojo. Then, one fateful evening in 2008, I tore a ligament in my sole which that prevented me from stepping on the surface of a tatami for about six months. The recovery period took a very long time and when I could walk and run properly once again, my personal fitness trainer told me that I should consider practicing a sport that would not put so much strain on my tendons and ligaments.
I took this advice seriously. Recovering from my foot injury had been the most difficult and frustrating experience in my life as a martial artist. I had just turned 30 and my body was no longer willing to regenerate and recover as fast as ten years before. Although I was in a good physical shape, I became aware, for the first time in my life, that I was not young anymore.
But, I couldn’t just stay at home and quit practicing sports for good! It so happened that, one day, while surfing the Internet, I came across the website of an archery club in Bangkok that was not too far from my then-residence. The same day I attended my one-hour introductory “course” and that was it.
For the next two years, between 2009 and 2010, I practiced archery more for fun, but I also competed for my club at several competitions in Thailand. My results were modest, with just one medal for a team event. Towards the end of 2010 my club was disbanded and that resulted in me taking a half-a-year sabbatical from archery.
Late 2011 I joined a new Bangkok-based club and started training seriously. I was lucky enough to be invited by the Thai national team to train with them and join the 1st Asian Grand Prix held in Bangkok in February 2012. Until then, I had never shot at 70 meters and was a bit reluctant to commit. Joining such a big international event would mean shooting for the Romanian flag and the last thing I wanted was to come last.
In the end, things turned out pretty well and my participation at the Archery Grand Prix motivated me to such an extent that I ended up going to the Archery World Cup – Stage 1 which was held in Shanghai in April 2012.
Participating in these two international archery events solidified my decision to pursue archery, if not professionally, then as an amateur athlete and dedicate my entire free time to perfecting my archery skills. I am now training at the Bangkok Training Center, a World Archery certified facility, where I am lucky to benefit from great coaching and technical expertise.
Writing: My Writing Journey
Personal Info
First name: Voicu
Middle name: Mihnea
Family name: Simandan
Nationality: Romanian
Date of birth: May 19, 1978
Marital status: married
Children: two
Hometown: Arad, Romania
Current location: Beijing, China
Height: 175 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Drawing weight: 45 lbs
Arrow length: 29 in
Riser and limbs: Win&Win
Sight: Shibuya
Arrows: Easton
International competitions attended
10-15.04.2013 – 1st Asian Grand Prix (Bangkok, THA) – 33rd
18-19.02.2013 – KATC Open NAAT Stage 2 (Khao Yai, THA) – 8th
25-27.01.2013 – 14th Kasetsart Open NAAT Stage 1 (Bangkok, THA) – 8th
10.04.2012 – Archery World Cup 2012 Stage 1 (Shanghai, CHN) – 57th
15.02.2012 – 1st Asian Grand Prix (Bangkok, THA) – 57th
Medals won at Thai competitions
3rd – KATC Open NAAT Stage 2, Qualifying score, 70m (Khao Yai, 2013)
1st – TOAC Open, Individual, 30m (2012)
1st – TOAC Open, Team Event, 30m (2012)
1st – TOAC Open, Individual, Qualifying score, 30m (2012)
3rd – Ram Open, Team Even, Qualifying score, 30m (2010)
Interview and appearances requests
To schedule interviews, public appearances, or corporate speeches please contact mihnea_voicu[at]yahoo[dot]com.
Photo usage
Media outlets can make fair usage of our photographs in the Gallery.
