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Archery

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If you find that sports such as basketball and football are not your cup your tea, you might want to try archery - a subtle sport that requires using your mind as much as your muscles.

The history of archery can be traced back to when early humans used bows and arrows to hunt animals or defend themselves from rival tribes. They were crucial weapons of war until the invention of guns in the 18th century. Archery then became a favourite pastime among aristocrats.

Archery competitions for men became part of the Olympics in 1900 and for women in 1904. The game was later dropped from the Olympics, but was reintroduced in 1972. It is now an accessible sport practised by people ranging from primary kids to retired elderly people.

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'Archery is a relatively technical but not rigorous sport. You can improve yourself through practise and [your performance] is less affected by your natural physical conditions,' said Hannah Chan Kwok-wan, an archery coach at the Hong Kong Archery Association.

Like Ms Chan, many people have their first taste of archery at holiday camps or resorts. There are many registered archery clubs in Hong Kong for beginners or experienced archers to hone their skills. Ms Chan said that after about six months a novice would be ready to take part in the association's competitions for beginners.

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During a competition, archers shoot 72 arrows at two targets - one from 18 metres and the other 25 from metres. Archers must shoot six arrows within four minutes at each target, otherwise points are deducted from their score.

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