Eric Bennett (archer)

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Eric Bennett

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| fullname = Eric Christopher Bennett

| nationality = American

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| alma_mater = Northern Arizona University

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|11|4}}{{cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/static/info/rio-2016/eng/zb/engzb_archery-athlete-profile-n1255815-bennett-eric.htm |website=paralympic.org |title=Athlete Profile |accessdate=August 6, 2017}}

| birth_place = Phoenix, Arizona, United States{{cite web |url=https://extranet.worldarchery.org/biographies/PrintBiography.php?WaId=1102 |website=extranet.worldarchery.org |title=World Archery Extranet |accessdate=August 6, 2017}}

| hometown = Surprise, Arizona

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| sport = Archery

| event = Recurve

| coach = MJ Rogers

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{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}

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Eric Christopher Bennett (born November 4, 1973) is an American paralympic archer who competes in recurve archery. He is a five-time Paralympian, having represented the United States at the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 Paralympic Games. Additionally he is a two-time World Para Archery Champion and a four-time U.S. national champion.

Personal life

Bennett began learning archery at the age of 7. He lost his right arm above the elbow in a car accident caused by a drunk driver when he was 15 years old. Bennett learned to shoot with only one arm. He joined the U.S. national team in 2007, qualifying for his first Paralympics in Beijing the following year.{{cite web |url=http://www.12news.com/news/local/valley/surprise-archer-with-one-arm-headed-to-rio-for-paralympics/283790774 |website=www.12news.com |title=Surprise archer with one arm headed to Rio for Paralympics |first=Trisha |last=Hendricks |date=July 28, 2016 |accessdate=August 6, 2017}}

Bennett is the former physics teacher of Olympic archer Brady Ellison.{{cite web |url=https://www.usarchery.org/article/bennett-triumphs-on-day-one-of-the-socal-showdown-with-his-ex-student-for-company |title=Bennett Triumphs On Day One Of The Socal Showdown With His Ex-student For Company |date=June 9, 2023 |work=USA Archery}}

Career

= Paralympics =

Bennett made his Paralympic debut at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. He lost to John Stubbs, who would go on to win the gold medal, in the round of 16.{{cite web |url=https://mormonolympians.org/olympic_mormons/eric-bennett |title=Mormon Paralympian Eric Bennett |work=Mormon Olympians}} At the 2012 Paralympic Games Bennett made it all the way to the bronze medal match, ultimately losing to Mikhail Oyun.{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/10/13/20441508/surprise-teacher-reflects-on-paralympic-games |title=Surprise teacher reflects on Paralympic Games |date=October 13, 2012 |work=Deseret News}}

In the summer of 2015, Bennett was selected to the U.S. archery team for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, making this his third Paralympics. He made it to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual silver-medalist Hanreuchai Netsiri. At the 2020 Paralympic Games Bennett lost in the round of 16 to Zhao Lixue who would go on to win the silver medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.teamusa.com/news/2023/november/21/-archery-addict-eric-bennett-sees-a-path-to-his-fifth-paralympics-via-the-parapan-american-games |title="Archery Addict" Eric Bennett Sees A Path To His Fifth Paralympics Via The Parapan American Games |work=United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee |date=November 21, 2023}}