Archer Camerin Pickering is inspired after making a promising start in his attempt to represent Bermuda at the Olympic Games in Paris next summer.

The 24-year-old did his confidence the world of good after achieving the Olympic minimum qualifying score competing at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 4 in Paris this week.

All of Pickering’s hard work and dedication paid off as he shot a personal-best score of 644 competing against world-class opposition in the men’s 79 metres recurve.

“Shooting an Olympic qualifying score is a huge benchmark for me, specifically during an official Olympic qualifier,” an elated Pickering told The Royal Gazette.

”I’ve always known it could be done and it was all due in time through hard work and determination.

“The biggest contributing factor towards this achievement was just trusting the process.”

Pickering’s display has earned Bermuda eligibility for a universality spot at the Paris Games.

“As he received a qualifying score, Bermuda as a country does have eligibility for a universality spot, which is not guaranteed,” said Bermuda coach Trina Roberts, who accompanied Pickering at the event.

“Our goal is to obtain a spot from one of the other upcoming events from September to June 2024.”

Pickering, who placed 89th among a field of 128 competitors, is equally as thrilled to have improved his personal best.

“Shooting a personal best in a competition is always a good feeling,” he said. “It definitely gives you a greater sense of accomplishment.

“The most important thing for me in this sport is to achieve the goals in which I have set for myself.

“It’s all about pushing your mental and physical limits.”

Pickering was among a trio of archers that represented Bermuda at the World Cup event, including Robin Selley and Jaydon Roberts.

Roberts finished 115th in the men’s 70-metre recurve division with a personal best of 622 and Selley 108th in the women’s 70-metre recurve division where her score of 566 was also a personal best.

The trio all suffered defeat in the eliminations, with Pickering losing to Switzerland’s Keziah Chabin, Roberts to Canadian Devaang Gupta and Selley to India’s Simranjeet Kaur.

Pickering and Selley also represented Bermuda in the mixed team event where they placed 39th.

“Overall we are pleased with the performance,” coach Roberts said.

“When you are competing with the best in the world, and many are Olympians, you come with your best game. These archers have been working hard for this day and the results did come.

“While this is a World Cup shoot, it is also an opportunity for us to obtain an Olympic qualification score, which is 640 for men and 610 for women.

“We are pleased one of our archers, Camerin Pickering, did achieve a qualifying score.”