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The 10th GT Open Indoor World Series: A Gathering of Archery Titans
Strassen,Luxembourg is gearing up to host the 10th edition of the GT Open Indoor World Series,a premier event on the international archery calendar.This year’s competition promises to be even grander than previous years, attracting a record number of archers from across the globe.
Jeff Henckels, president of GT Strassen, emphasizes the magnitude of the event: “This is by far the largest competition in Luxembourg. We’ll have 450 archers representing 37 different countries. I believe the GT Open ranks among the top three or four largest archery events in Europe.”
The sheer number of participants is only surpassed by the exceptional caliber of talent on display. henckels adds, “the level of competition is phenomenal.”
The recurve division boasts two Olympic medalists: Germany’s Florian Unruh, who secured silver in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympics, and Italy’s Mauro Nespoli, a gold medalist with the team in London and an individual silver medalist in Tokyo.
However, it’s the compound division that truly showcases the pinnacle of archery prowess. Five of the world’s top ten female archers will be competing, including Ella Gibson, the current world number one from Great Britain. Gibson previously set a world record at Strassen in 2019, a feat later surpassed by Belgium’s Sarah prieels. While Prieels will be present, the current world record holder, Turkey’s Hazal Burun, will not be participating. Other notable contenders include India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam (ranked 4th),Italy’s Elisa Roner (5th),Estonia’s Meeri-Marita paas (7th),and Croatia’s Amanda Mlinaric (9th).
The men’s compound division is equally remarkable, with six of the world’s top ten archers set to compete. Among them is the Netherlands’ Mike Schloesser,a multiple-time world champion and current world number one.Schloesser will face stiff competition from Denmark’s Mathias Fullerton (ranked 2nd) and the United States’ James Lutz (ranked 3rd), among others.
The 10th GT Open Indoor World Series promises to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the best archers in the world vying for glory in Strassen.
Luxembourg Archers Aim for Glory at Prestigious GT Open
The Grand prix de tir à l’Arc, or GT Open, is set to be a thrilling competition, attracting top archers from around the globe.With a field boasting world-renowned athletes like the reigning world champion, Mike Schloesser, and other top-ranked competitors like Jozef Bosansky (5th), Shamai Yamrom (8th), and Abishek Verma (9th), the stakes are high.
Luxembourg will be represented by a strong contingent of 28 archers, eager to make thier mark on the international stage. Notably absent will be Jeff Henckels,who is focusing on other pursuits,and Pit Klein,who has taken a break from archery to pursue a training opportunity in Belgium.
Though, the Klein family will still be present, with Mariya Klein, currently ranked 12th in the world, ready to compete. While she acknowledges the fierce competition, Mariya is approaching the GT Open as a valuable learning experience: “I’m enjoying a lighter training schedule and the post-season break. My main goals are set for March. I’m here to enjoy the experience, test my new equipment, and gather insights for my upcoming training.”
Mariya will also be closely following the progress of two promising young Luxembourgish archers, Kenza Pop and Lea Tonus, whom she coaches. Fresh from a successful campaign at the Universiades in Bahrain, where they secured gold in the mixed team event and individual bronze for Pop, and silver in the mixed team event for Tonus, the duo is looking to make a strong impression at the GT Open.”The GT Open is a significant competition for them, impacting their junior rankings in the World Series,” Mariya explains.
On the men’s side, Gilles Seywert, despite battling a shoulder injury and a demanding work schedule, is resolute to participate.
“I’m grateful to be able to compete given my recent workload and injury,” he admits. “The level of competition has risen significantly, with more professionals and semi-professionals participating. Competing against them as an amateur is challenging, so I’d be happy to simply make the cut.”
The GT Open’s indoor format intensifies the competition, with only 32 spots available in the main draw compared to 64 in outdoor events.
Qualifying rounds take place today and tomorrow morning, with the main competition commencing on Saturday.
GT open Schedule:
Today (from 1 pm): Qualifying Rounds 1 & 2
Saturday:
From 8 am: Completion of Qualifying rounds
From 3:40 pm: Individual Matches Begin
Sunday:
7:40 am – 9:20 am: Second Chance Round
A Day of Thrilling Competition
Get ready for an action-packed day of competition! The excitement kicks off at 9:20 AM with the continuation of the ongoing matches.Later in the morning, at 10:35 AM, the battle for bronze heats up as athletes vie for a podium finish.the day culminates in a series of thrilling finals, commencing at 1:05 PM. Witness the best of the best as they compete for the ultimate prize.
Welcome, archery enthusiasts, to what promises to be an incredible 10th GT Open Indoor World Series! (1) As yoru moderator for this prestigious event, I’m thrilled to see such a remarkable gathering of talent from 37 countries, truly solidifying this competition’s standing among the top archery events in Europe. (1)
The sheer scale of this tournament is staggering, with 450 archers poised to compete, making it by far the largest in Luxembourg’s history. (1) But beyond the numbers, it’s the remarkable level of competition that truly sets this event apart. (1)
We are incredibly fortunate to witness some of the biggest names in archery gracing our presence. In the recurve division, Olympic medalists Florian Unruh from Germany and Mauro Nespoli from Italy will showcase their world-class skills. (1)
However, the compound division promises to be a true spectacle of archery prowess. Five of the world’s top ten female archers, including reigning world number one Ella gibson from Great Britain, will be battling it out for supremacy. (1) gibson’s previous world record set right here in strassen adds another layer of intrigue to this competition. (1)
And let’s not forget the men’s compound division, where six of the world’s top ten archers, lead by the multiple-time world champion and current world number one, Mike Schloesser, will test their mettle against fierce rivals like Denmark’s Mathias Fullerton and the United States’ James Lutz. (1) Get ready for some nail-biting duels and truly exceptional displays of archery excellence. (1)
Over the coming days, I’ll be your guide through this thrilling competition. Let’s celebrate the passion, dedication, and sporting spirit of these incredible athletes as they strive for glory in Strassen.
