Dr. Charles S. Wong (USA). Credit: Keith Loraas
Dr. Charles Wong of the Department of Chemistry and Department of Environmental Studies & Sciences excels not only in the classroom and research laboratory, but also on the range. Dr. Wong recently represented the United States at the World Archery Masters Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland (held August 14-18, 2018). This inaugural event fielded 356 athletes from 44 countries, including many former Olympians and World Junior and Senior Championships contestants.
Wong had to battle the competition and heavy, shifting winds without his own bow because his equipment was lost by the airlines and only returned the day after competition was over. “The World Archery Excellence Centre staff and local archers went above and beyond to help find enough parts for a makeshift bow so I could at least shoot, and I am very grateful,” said Wong.
“It’s always a challenge mentally when the gear you’ve worked with all year round doesn’t show up,” noted coach Jay Lyon, a 2014 UWinnipeg graduate who placed 10th at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was the bronze medalist at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. “Luckily, he’s got all the skill to make borrowed gear work.”
Wong seeded 65th in the ranking round and lost in the first elimination round (6-2) to finish in 57th place. He went on to shatter a personal record by 45 points in the 25-meter indoor event on the morning of Day 2 before fading in that afternoon’s 18-meter event to settle for 47th place.
“I am quite proud of Charles’s work ethic,” said Lyon. “Balancing work, life and training is challenging. He did a tremendous job; he proved that in his performance and has made everyone very proud. We’ll take some time off and prepare him for the next year.”
“Dr. Wong has already established himself as a world-class researcher. His remarkable achievement at the World Championships indicates that he is on the way to establishing himself as a world-class athlete,” said Dr. Doug Goltz, Acting Dean of Science and Acting Dean of Kinesiology.
“The UWinnipeg community congratulates Dr. Wong on his impressive finish at this international competition — despite the unexpected challenges he faced. As with his renowned research and academic expertise, Dr. Wong’s archery prowess stems from a deep commitment to excellence and a desire to make an impact. We are proud to celebrate his recent accomplishment,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Winnipeg.
Dr. Wong recently completed his Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Ecotoxicology. He is also the Jinan University Chair Professor (Guangzhou, China) and holds concurrent appointments at the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, and University of Manitoba. He is an Associate Editor of the international journal Environmental Pollution. Dr. Wong has 96 peer-reviewed publications and has raised over $10.3 million in external research funds since joining UWinnipeg in 2008.
– 30 –
UWinnipeg is noted for academic excellence, Indigenous inclusion, environmental commitment, small class sizes, and campus diversity. UWinnipeg is committed to improving access to post-secondary education for all individuals, especially those taking non-traditional paths to university.
