Pinecreek Twp. Resident Greenaway set for World Crossbow Championships in Agra, India
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Back in the 1980s, longtime Pinecreek Township supervisor Dennis Greenaway and his friends decided to take up archery on a whim, inspired by the popular board game known as Dungeons and Dragons.
What started as a hobby steadily progressed from there for Greenaway.
"Somebody said, 'how would you like to really do some of this stuff?' and I said that's more fun than playing a board game," said Greenaway when recalling what inspired him to take up the sport in the first place. "I've had a knee replacement and two revisions on my right knee. Got into my early 60s and said, 'I'll just keep shooting archery.'"
Amidst joining the Medieval Society in the 1990s, also known as the Society for Creative Anachronisms, Greenaway quickly took up shooting crossbows. After decades of shooting and competing in statewide events, he'll be taking his talents over to Agra, India to compete in the 2023 WCSA World Crossbow Championships, set to begin in on October 24.
He'll be the first U.S. representative to compete within the Medieval Division, a fact he doesn't take lightly.
"I take it as a great honor and privilege to be able to do this. I'm taking an American Flag and have two USA Crossbow shirts," said Greenaway. "I think I'll represent our country very well. I might not get that gold medal, but I will say that I'm working hard to try to get some piece of metal around my neck."
Since retiring as township supervisor about six years ago, Greenaway has committed a lot of time to the Crossbow community.
Amidst quarantine in 2020, he started a series on TikTok where he shoots a crossbow every day, a series which is approaching 1,300 days. His account has since accumulated over 100,000 followers, with most of his videos putting up thousands of views.
"It's just evolved," said Greenaway on his series. "The Indian Crossbow Shooting Association follows me; the Italian Crossbow clubs watch me. I have people worldwide, two people in Iran who make crossbows that I exchange pleasantries with. I call it International Crossbow Shooting Diplomacy."
He had one of his crossbows featured in Glass Onion, the sequel to the movie Knives Out, and has made friends all over the globe that share his passion. It's a passion that's changed his life and provided him with endless experiences and stories to tell.
Greenaway credits his audience for being able to compete in the event, not just because of his growing outreach, but also for helping him cover some of its expenses through GoFundMe. Along with pushing himself to make his audience proud, he's also hoping to meet a few of its members at this event.
Though he balances his commitment to the sport with his career as a real estate appraiser, he's been putting as much time as he can into improving his shooting. He took note of the US's lack of medals in recent world competition and is hoping to be able to improve its reputation there.
"I'm working very hard to get back to my grandmaster status," said Greenaway. "I have good days. I have bad days. I'm hoping I get over to India and have a lot of good days. I know the competition will be good, but I'll do my best."
Though he'll be 70 next year, he doesn't see himself slowing down any time soon. He plans to compete in the next rendition of the WSCA World Championships in 2025 - which will take place in Australia - and doesn't plan on concluding his TikTok series any time soon.
"My thing is I want to keep doing things. I'm still cooking. I'm still in reasonable shape," said Greenaway. "I would love nothing more than to be able to go over and shoot in Australia and visit all my friends over there."
"I'm very honored and it's a privilege for me to do this. I will do my best," he added.