Rome – Giorgia Cesarini, representing San Marino, secured a gold medal at the Italian Indoor Archery Championships this past weekend, marking a successful debut with her modern team, Arcieri del Roccolo. The victory, achieved in the Olympic recurve team event, underscores a growing momentum for Cesarini as she sets her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Arcieri del Roccolo team – comprised of Cesarini, Roberta Di Francesco and Alessia Bonetti – navigated a challenging bracket, ultimately defeating Iuvenilia, a formidable squad led by Olympic medalist Tatiana Andreoli, in the final. The win wasn’t simply a team triumph; it represented a significant milestone for Cesarini, coming in her first competition with her new club. The team secured their place among the top eight teams in the competition, entering as the third seed.
“The qualifications didn’t move great for me personally,” Cesarini explained, “but we still managed a good team score, finishing second in the senior class and third overall. Then we started the direct elimination rounds from the quarterfinals. We’re a new team, very united, and we encouraged each other, which gave us the confidence to go all the way.”
The path to the title wasn’t easy. Arcieri del Roccolo first defeated Arco Sport Roma 5-1 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 6-0 shutout of Tigullio – a team spearheaded by national athlete Sara Noceti – in the semifinals. The final against Iuvenilia proved to be a tense affair, ultimately decided by a 5-1 scoreline. Cesarini played a crucial role in the final set, delivering two scores of 10 and four 9s, securing the victory for her team.
Di Francesco, a recent silver medalist at the European Championships in Plovdiv with the Italian national team, proved to be a stabilizing force for the team. Cesarini emphasized the impact of having Di Francesco as a teammate, stating, “On the shooting line, I felt quite confident because having Roberta on the team gives you a security that, in my opinion, is unmatched.”
Despite not feeling at her physical best, Cesarini contributed significantly to the team’s success. “I didn’t shoot my best because I wasn’t feeling physically well, but we still achieved a gold that wasn’t a given. It was a great feeling,” she said. The win is particularly meaningful as it comes during a period of transition for Cesarini, who recently joined the Arcieri del Roccolo based in Canegrate, near Milan.
The indoor season now concludes, shifting focus to outdoor competition on the 70-meter range. Cesarini views the upcoming year as a crucial preparation phase for the challenges ahead, specifically the qualifying process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “2027 will be the most important year, because that’s when the qualifications for the Los Angeles Olympics start,” Cesarini stated.
The qualifying schedule includes the European Championships, Veronica’s Cup in May, and the Mediterranean Games in late August. “We’re starting strong with the European Championships, which will award spots for next year’s European Games, so we require to get good results right away,” she added.
For San Marino, the most viable path to Olympic qualification appears to lie in team events. “We have a better chance as a team than individually,” Cesarini explained, “because we’ve already been awarded a wild card for Paris, so it’s much more complicated now to request a new one and get it.” This strategic focus on team performance highlights the importance of continued collaboration and synergy within the Arcieri del Roccolo squad.
The Italian Indoor Archery Championships, held from February 26th to March 1st, 2026, at Fiera Roma, served as a pivotal moment for Cesarini and her team. The victory not only secured a national title but also laid a foundation for future success on the international stage. The team’s performance demonstrates the potential for San Marino to develop a strong showing in archery at the upcoming Olympic Games.
Next up for Cesarini and the Arcieri del Roccolo is the outdoor season, with details on specific competition dates and locations to be announced soon. Fans can follow updates on the team’s progress through official archery federation channels and team social media accounts.
Worth a look
