Name: Crispin Duenas
CAN Fund Recipient Since: 2007
Sport: Archery
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
3X Olympian (2008, 2012, 2016)
How does being a CAN Fund Recipient make a difference for you?
CAN Fund has allowed me to broaden my training and competition repertoire to levels that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish given my regular funds. More specifically, I was able to purchase flight to train in warm weather during the winter. Training outside in warmer conditions during the winter has given me an extreme advantage over my competitors and the results of those trainings are starting to show early on in the outdoor season. I’ve had higher results this year than I’ve ever had and I believe it’s due to the regular outdoor training during a time where my competitors and teammates are stuck indoors.
Share 3 words to describe what CAN Fund is to you:
Reliable, Resourceful, Empathetic
Think of someone who had impacted your life. Share 3 words that embody who they are to you.
I think that I cannot give this to just one person. Both of my parents have been my backbone of support throughout my years of competition. From a young age, I have been raised with excellence in my mind, and my parents have always pushed me to be the best at whatever I do. My mom, Helena, has taught me to always be tough and not to let the bad days get me down. She always asks if I’m shooting all 10s yet (perfect scores for arrows) and if I’ve eliminated shooting any arrows in the red (arrows that are just outside of the yellow on the target). My dad, Rolando, has always taught me to strive for excellence in all of the sports I have done. He and I have been making regular hour long car rides every Saturday (that I’m in the country) to the archery club where I started shooting in order for me to spend time with him and shoot with him. Both my mom and dad constantly watch over my results and me wherever I am in the world, and they often know about anything posted about me on the Internet or in newspapers well before I do.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received was that someone who is disciplined will always succeed. I learned this when I had to balance school and training; I needed to learn how to manage my time wisely in order to do well in both. I still employ this way of thinking as I balance my career and athletic life.
What was your breakthrough moment?
My breakthrough moment came in 2002 when I competed at my first Junior World Championships at the age of 16. I had only been shooting for 2 years and already was competitive internationally. I finished in 7th that year, and my coach and I knew that I was going to be a top contender on the international scene. I proved this once again 2 years later at my second Junior World Championships, now competing in the next age division up, coming in 8th place.
Share 2-3 things you are grateful for:
I’m grateful for my family. They have always supported me throughout my athletic career and they continue to support me in everything that I do. I’ve had to miss many family functions because of competitions and training, but my family has been very understanding and willing to put up with my absences. I’m also grateful for the support I’ve received from the Canadian sports community like CAN Fund and my sponsors. They’ve allowed me to compete in the sport I love while representing Canada. Their financial contributions make it possible for me to compete fully relaxed without any financial strain.
What is the best part about representing Canada?
The best part about representing Canada thus far has been walking with the full Olympic team in the 2008, 2012, 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Nothing has been more exhilarating than wearing the maple leaf on my back with pride and joining with my fellow athletes as we show the world what Canadians can do on and off the playing field.
