The French, Polish and Swiss triumphed in horse archery. They dominated the “International Horse Archery Competition” in the Senior and Junior categories, which took place from 9 to 11 June in Rocca Sinibalda, in the province of Rieti. The first event of its kind promoted in Italy by Ihaa, the association, or rather the Alliance, which promotes an extraordinary sport throughout the world, where it is necessary to combine two notable skills: riding a horse launched into a gallop and managing to hit a target with a bow and arrow.
At Rocca Sinibalda thirty pairs (archers and their horses, although many of the animals ridden by foreign participants were made available to the organization) from ten European countries competed. In addition to the French, Spanish and Swiss neighbors, there are also specialists from nations that have a great tradition of horse archery: Hungary, Turkey, Poland.
In both categories, the top step of the podium was occupied by French athletes: Gaetan Blot, riding the horse UB, among the seniors, and Felicien Bortolini riding Ginevra among the Juniors. In second and third place among adults the Polish Natalia Koprowska and the Swiss Andri Marugg. Among the young “silver” for another transalpine: Coli Jun Ong. The only consolation for the blue colors was the third place in the Junior category for the 16 year old Carlo Antonelli. The “senior” Giorgio Antonelli was only eleventh after finishing sixth in the international championships held in Spain last February.
The Rocca Sinibalda races were held at the L’Ardiglione amateur sports association, immersed in the Turano Valley, with the patronage of Csen, the sports promotion body recognized by CONI. “For us it was an honor to host this international competition”, confess the managers of the association. “The participation and interest demonstrate how horse archery is gaining ground in Italy in recent years”. In fact, there was a large group of Italian archers who tried to challenge the foreign masters of this sport. Three “played at home”, being from Rieti: in addition to Giorgio and Carlo Antonelli, also Lavinia Piacentini aged 13, engaged in the junior category. Among the other Italian athletes, Cristina Capone and Stefano Giansantelli of the Asd Arcieri acavallo Italia of Cerveteri, led by coach Manuele Gualdana, and Silvia Fagioli and Beatrice Legnani of the Asd “La Francesina” of Varese.
Alan Le Gall, president of the International Federation, was also very satisfied with the excellent organization and the location, in the shadow of the Rocca Sinibalda castle.
The event was also enhanced by the presence of the Romanian champion Mihai Cozmei, holder of the latest Guinness World Record: 20 arrows shot in less than 37 seconds. The “fastest arrow in the East” held a two-day training course immediately before the races. Who knows, perhaps among his students there might be a future world champion: the IHAA’s most important competition of the year, with the awarding of the world title, will take place in Mongolia from 4 to 10 September.
2023-06-12 07:00:00
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