MODENA. A new international success for Natalia Valeevaathlete from Carpi in force of the White Eagle Archers of Modena. The archer – who boasts a career six Olympic participations (individual and team bronze in Barcelona ’92) and world titles – she was the protagonist in Nîmes in France where last weekend she won the gold medal in the Master category, in one of the most important indoor competitions on the European archery scene, which this year saw the overall participation of 1,360 archers from all over the world, over one hundred of whom from Italy.
Clear path without repeats
The race opened in the best possible way: Valeeva in fact closed the qualifying phase in first place, scoring 561 points and immediately demonstrating great technical solidity and concentration, elements that made her the athlete to beat in her category. Confirmation came in the direct clashes, where the archer from Modena maintained the same level of precision and cold blood. In the quarter-finals she overcame the French Duchene, while in the semi-final she got the better of the Swiss Desponds, beaten at the end of a hard-fought but always managed match with clarity.
The final, against another Frenchwoman, Gillet, supported by the home crowd, saw Valeeva sign an impeccable performance, closing the match with a clear 6-0 that left no room for replies and which earned her the gold. A victory that confirms and rewards once again the value of the athlete and of Modena archery in a highly competitive international context.
