Ben Thompson (archer)

Lore & Background

Thompson was born in Buffalo, Illinois and spent his childhood on a farm. He played multiple sports in high school and participated in 3D archery events as a teen. After studying aircraft mechanics at Lincoln Land Community College, he began his career with Boeing in 2009, working on the 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston, South Carolina. That same year, a motorcycle accident caused a back injury, leading to rehabilitation and his use of a wheelchair. He resumed archery in 2013 while undergoing medical treatment.

Thompson began competing in compound archery in 2013 and became a para-archer the following year at the USA Archery Arizona Cup. He won the men's para compound open event at the National Target Championships in 2019 and again at the 2020 USA Archery Target Nationals. Internationally, he earned bronze at the 2015 Parapan American Games. After failing to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games, he considered ending his career but returned to win the men's open compound at the 2017 World Para Archery Championships. An injury later stopped his competition until April 2019, when he resumed and won the same world title that year.

In team events, Thompson and the American men's compound open team placed first at the 2015 World Para Archery Championships and third in 2017. At the 2017 Juan Enrique Barrios Cup, his team scored 2063 points to set a world record. At the 2019 World Archery Para Championships, the team of Thompson, Andre Shelby and Matt Stutzman broke the record again with 2091 points. Thompson reached number one on the World Archery Rankings twice between 2019 and 2021. He placed seventh at the 2022 World Para Archery Championships and reached the first round of the men's compound event at the 2022 World Games. He joined USA Archery's compound Athlete Advisory Council in 2022.

Reader's Guide

Ben Thompson's significance lies in his achievements as a para-archer who overcame a career-altering injury to become a two-time world champion in the men's open compound. His back injury from a 2009 motorcycle accident led to his use of a wheelchair, but he returned to archery in 2013 and quickly rose to the top of the sport. Thompson's individual world titles in 2017 and 2019, along with his bronze at the 2015 Parapan American Games, established him as a leading figure in compound para-archery. His team contributions were equally notable: the American men's compound open team set world records at the 2017 Juan Enrique Barrios Cup and the 2019 World Archery Para Championships, with Thompson as a key member. He twice held the number one spot on the World Archery Rankings between 2019 and 2021. Thompson's legacy includes being named the Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2019 and winning the Para men category from World Archery the following year. His career demonstrates sustained excellence at the highest levels of international competition, despite a period of injury and a near-retirement after missing the 2016 Paralympic Games. Outside of archery, he is a parent of a teenager.

Did You Know?

• Thompson began using a wheelchair after a 2009 motorcycle accident caused a back injury.
• He worked on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston, South Carolina from 2009 to 2019.
• Thompson and his teammates set a world record of 2091 points in the men's compound open team event at the 2019 World Archery Para Championships.