Tiffany Smith may not be able to see her target, but that doesn’t stop her from picking up her bow, drawing back and hitting the mark. 

Despite being born legally blind with an eye condition called aniridia, Smith has taken up archery. 

Even though she started just one year ago, she has already won a regional event and is preparing for nationals this week. 

“I like the individual sports, so it was just something that caught my eye,” Smith said. “I decided to try it out, and when I tried it, I was actually pretty good.”

She may have only started shooting, but the sport has always piqued her interest. 

When she was younger, she’d watch the world’s best compete at the Olympics. Now that she’s fully invested in the sport, Smith has her sights set on that same stage. 

“I’ve already done some competition with Team USA, but it was for track and field,” she said. “So, I’m already kind of familiar with all of that, know how to get involved.”

Smith was an excellent track star in high school. She competed at Lexington High School and held the school’s shot put record for over a decade. 

After high school, she continued competing until she hurt her back and required surgery. Post-operation, she struggled to turn her back and get the power she needed to throw properly. 

With her athletic career seemingly behind her, Smith moved on to the workforce. In college, she majored in computer graphics and printing and worked in that field in Spartanburg. 

When she moved back to the Lexington area, she pursued a career change and became a certified nursing assistant, doing home health. She doesn’t currently work but does maintain her certification. 

“I’ve always been interested in the health thing,” Smith said. 

Smith enjoyed her work, but there was still an itch to get back into a competitive environment. 

By doing some research, Smith found the Barr Road Sport Complex and their archery lessons. Initially, the classes were full, so Smith had to wait a bit longer to get back into athletics. 

She waited for almost five months before finally hearing about an opening and immediately jumped at the opportunity. 

The beginners class helped Smith build her confidence as an archer and pushed her deeper into the hobby, 

“I was at the beginner's class, and he had us shoot balloons and stuff, and I actually was hitting the balloons,” she said. “Knowing that I'd really never shot a bow and arrow before, and I'm sitting here, and I'm legally blind, and I'm shooting these balloons and popping them, that makes a big difference.” 

From there, Smith has continued to dive headfirst into the sport. She was loaned her first bow by friend and coach Tom Jeffery at Jeffery Archery. 

Jeffery is currently customizing a bow specifically for her. 

Smith credits her support system, including coaches like Jeffery, as a big reason for her quick success. 

Her father is also super helpful, not only as her biggest fan, but also as her competition spotter. His role is to help guide her shot along with the tactical sight. 

Neither her father nor her sight can aim down range for her, but Smith can use them to line up and adjust her shot. Her dad is allowed to give specific instructions on where her shots went, but nothing else. 

“He’s only allowed to say like ‘Red 2 o'clock,’ which means it hit the target, but I was a little high to the right,” Smith said. “That's all he's allowed to say. He can't say, ‘just shoot a little bit more to the left,’ only specific instructions.”

Smith’s father will be by her side this week as she competes at nationals. 

Nationals will be a completely different environment for her. While there were only a handful of competitors at regionals, there will be hundreds at nationals. 

“It’s a lot of things to know. Regionals were a lot more laid back,” Smith said.  “It’ll be interesting to see how my nerves do.”

Regardless of how she does at nationals this year, Smith is sticking with the sport. 

She hopes to compete in more competitions this coming year, including some here in the state. She is currently looking for sponsors to help her cover the costs of travel, registration and equipment. 

Any person or business interested in sponsoring Smith can reach out via email to blindarcher33@yahoo.com. 

“I want to compete in these tournaments. I got one sponsorship for nationals this year,” she said. “I’m trying to get my name out there.”