AUSTIN, Texas — One of the best kept secrets in Central Texas sports is an archer who will represent Team USA in the 2024 Paralympics.
Jordan White has not competed in archery for very long.
"I got started in archery four years ago," he said.
But those four years of dedication have led him to success.
"I have six national records," White said. "And I am very proud of those national records."
He practices six days a week, three hours a day.
"It's not a surprise that I've had good things come my way with hard work, but I never expected it to be this amazing," he said.
White's success comes in the para-archery division, a discipline for athletes classified with a physical or visual impairment.
"I have congenital femoral deficiency, which is pretty much a fancy way of saying that I have one leg shorter than the other," he said. "I have a variety of other issues with my leg that have caused me to have over 20 surgeries. And so, overall, my right leg is just a way weaker, has less range of motion and causes me to be a little off balanced while I shoot."
The disability that has impacted White's life has changed his perspective on everything – including archery.
"Without that strength that's come along with all of my surgeries, I wouldn't be the person I am today," he said. "I wouldn't be the archer I am today. I wouldn't be as resilient as an archer, both mentally and emotionally."
Next up for White is a trip to Paris for the Paralympics. Though he's keeping the pressure low, the goal is high.
"I'm gonna have fun and, hopefully, take home the gold," he said.