As Linus Li (10) steps out in his archery equipment, he carries much more than just a bow. He is dressed head to toe in an unobstructive black uniform sporting a thumb ring, an arm guard, and a shoulder brace. These are the tools of a dedicated archer.

Linus’s fascination with archery started at a young age in an unusual way.

“I always read about Greek gods and goddesses when I was about 10 years old,” Linus said. “I got really interested in the god Apollo and I thought, ‘Oh, archery’s kind of a subsection of whatever he can do,’ so I thought, ‘Why not try it out?’”

He began learning archery in February of 2013. In 2014, Linus was ranked fourth in his division statewide.

“[Archery] seemed like something I had a really big passion in, so my parents found a coach, and I began to shoot competitively,” he said.

California is home to a significant competitive archery scene. Participant turnout in state tournaments averages about 400 people across all divisions.

Up to this point, Linus has competed in local archery tournaments. He has his sights set on national and international competitions, and has decided to apply for the Junior Dream Team (JDT). The JDT selects dedicated archers between the ages of 13 and 22 to form a team of roughly 30 members. This team trains intensively at a facility in Chula Vista, California, with the intent of competing in the Youth World Championships. Some graduates of the JDT have taken first at world-class tournaments and become Olympians.

“Archery is a really unique sport. It’s something that doesn’t only require physical strength but mental stability, there are a lot of intricacies involved,” Linus said. “If you happen to have an interest in archery, by all means take the opportunity. It’s definitely going to be something that changes not only your daily workload, but your personality, your demeanor, your ability to deal with situations and it trains you in every single aspect.”