Disaster struck when national archer Riau Ega Agatha, 27, found out the case of his bow was broken when he reached the Netherlands in June. He was part of the Indonesian archery squad that competed at the 2019 World Archery Championships in Hertogenbosch.
ational archer Riau Ega Agatha is nervous whenever he has to travel overseas for competitions. But it is not a fear of flying that makes him so uneasy, but rather how to keep his bow and arrows intact.
Disaster struck when the 27-year-old found out the case of his bow was broken when he reached the Netherlands in June. He was part of the Indonesian archery squad that competed at the 2019 World Archery Championships in Hertogenbosch.
“When I found out there was a hole in [my bow’s] case, I was disappointed,” Riau told The Jakarta Post recently.
“I don’t know why the case was broken. Maybe it got thrown out [when it was unloaded from the airplane]. And I couldn’t do much about it.
“I bought a new case in the Netherlands afterward. My bow was fine, but I was afraid there were splinters,” he added.
Riau has experienced various such ordeals when traveling for competitions with his sporting gear. From the broken case to debating with aviation security officers regarding the bow and arrows.
“Once the [local airport] officers went through my luggage and [nearly] barred me from taking my gear with me,” said Riau, without further elaboration. “My coaches spoke with them, they understood and eventually allowed me to take my gear on.
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