Gabe's Road to Rio - Olympics 2016

My name is Gabe Marcozzi, I'm 18 years old, I have one hand, and I'm on the road to the Para Olympics 2016 in Rio De Janiero.



My Story:

When I was three years old, I lost my left hand in a bad accident. Although I barely knew what was happening at the time, this event completely changed my life and the life of my family. I am one of ten children so family has always been a big part of who I am.

(Since this picture was taken we've added one more!)

It was very hard growing up with a "disability" that was so visible and made me so different from everyone else. Other kids would stare at me and not understand why I was missing a hand. I didn't like answering their questions, so I opted to play by myself most of the time. It was hard to adjust.

Eventually as I got older I grew thick skin. I learned not to take the confused looks and curious questions as personally. I was even able to joke about it sometimes! Now I barely even notice, it's a part of my life and affording me opportunities I would never have otherwise.



Why Archery?

I had loved playing with bows even before the accident, but because of the frustration it caused after the accident, I gave it up for a while. In 2009 I bought my first bow. In 2010 I went to my very first competition, and after that I was hooked!

After trying to shoot a few times I knew I had to find a way around the usual shooting method. Not having a hand really changes the dynamic of how to draw back a bow. Through trial and error we were able to make a system that worked for me. 



I have been going to shoots for the past three years all over the country. I travel with my Nana to most of the events and more recently added my coach and personal trainer Cindy Bevilacqua (Olympic Archery Coach 2012). 

(This is Cindy and me at one of my recent tournaments where I won Bronze)


List of accomplishments:
-2012 PA state FITA champion indoor and outdoor. (Cadet)
-2013 New Jersey state indoor champion. (Cadet)
-2013 PA indoor state champion. (Cadet)
-2014 PA State Indoor and Outdoor State champion. (Cadet)
-2014 JOAD Nationals 3rd place regionally. (Cadet)
-2015 JOAD Nationals 3rd place regionally. (Junior)
-2015 FITA Nationals 2nd place regionally. (Junior)
-2015 PARA- World Ranking 3rd place (picture below)
- I was ranked 6th in the nation for Cadets at the end 2013
- My best ever finish at a USAT event was 4th place. (SoCal 2014)
- Many regional wins and podium finishes.

(My recent win of Bronze in the Para-World Ranking. I shot against Matt Stutzman, "The Armless Archer," who is also my hero!)

How much money?

I have already been to many tournaments in different states and have obtained substantial debt from these. Each tournament costs anywhere from $3,000 - $6,000 depending on airfare, rental prices, hotel expenses, food costs, and price of the tournaments.

I have to purchase back-up gear and pay a personal coach and trainer to help ensure my success.
I have four more tournaments left to make the Para Olympic team and one more with them! I have to raise the money going to various different location across the United States and also pay off the last four tournaments.

(totals based on average expenditures) 

What can you do?

I need your help! Please help me, not only to fund my dreams, but to get my story out there. I want to speak to other kids who have grown up with disabilities. I want to prove to them that you can do ANYTHING you want to. Everything is possible if you let nothing get in your way.

Thank you in advance for all your support! Please visit my Facebook page  for more information and updates. Any support is appreciated, even just sharing with your family and friends!