In a weekend that will long be remembered by Italian para archery fans, Giuseppe Verzini and Elisabetta Petris delivered performances for the ages at the 2025 Campionati Italiani Targa Para Archery in Rovereto. Verzini claimed his first-ever national title in the recurve men’s division after a nerve-wracking shoot-off, while Petris added another gold to her collection in the mixed team event alongside her Cormons teammate.

The Comeback That Defined a Career

For Giuseppe Verzini, the road to his first Italian championship was anything but smooth. The 32-year-old from Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Compagnia Arcieri Cormons found himself trailing 4-0 in the final against Stefano Travisani, the reigning Paralympic gold medalist from Paris 2024. What followed was a masterclass in mental resilience and precision under pressure.

“Giuseppe has worked so hard for this moment,” said the club’s president, Canesin, in a statement released after the competition. “He wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away now that he’s tasted what it feels like to be at the top.”

The match tightened with Verzini winning the next four sets to force a 4-4 tie, then a 5-5 deadlock that sent the contest to a dramatic shoot-off. When Travisani landed a 9, all eyes turned to Verzini. The Cormons archer needed nothing short of perfection – and delivered. His arrow struck the 10, securing a 17-15 victory and etching his name into Italian para archery history as the 2025 national champion.

Petris Completes the Mixed Team Double

While Verzini’s individual triumph captured headlines, Elisabetta Petris was busy adding to her already impressive resume. The 12-year-old prodigy (as of her 2021 indoor championship) teamed with Verzini to claim gold in the mixed team event, completing a remarkable comeback of their own.

The duo found themselves down 4-0 against the experienced Arcieri delle Alpi pair of Mjino and Boaglio. But in a display of composure beyond their years, Petris and Verzini stormed back to win 5-4 in another shoot-off, this time with a 17-15 score. The victory marked Petris’ second national title of the weekend, having previously won the individual women’s recurve competition.

“We were emotional watching her,” said a spokesperson for the Compagnia Arcieri Cormons. “She wanted that medal and she earned it. It didn’t come easy – she worked for it alongside Giuseppe.”

Rovereto’s Perfect Stage

The Palakosmos arena in Rovereto proved the ideal setting for these dramatic performances. The venue, which will host the Italian Targa Championships for able-bodied archers later this month, provided a world-class stage for the para athletes to showcase their skills.

Verzini’s victory was particularly significant as it marked the first national title of his career in the recurve men’s division. His previous best had been a silver medal at the 2021 Italian Indoor Championships, where he fell just short against Garavaglia of Arcieri Cameri in a 6-5 final.

For Petris, the weekend’s success continued her rapid ascent in Italian para archery. Despite being just 12 years classic during her 2021 indoor triumph, she has consistently performed at a level beyond her years, competing against – and defeating – adult athletes with far more experience.

What So for Italian Para Archery

The results from Rovereto signal a changing of the guard in Italian para archery. While veterans like Elisabetta Mijno (who claimed her 12th national title in Rovereto) continue to perform at an elite level, the emergence of younger talents like Petris and the breakthrough of Verzini suggest a bright future for the sport in Italy.

The Compagnia Arcieri Cormons club, based in Cormons, Friuli Venezia Giulia, has particularly reason to celebrate. Their athletes claimed three of the six medals awarded in Rovereto, including Verzini’s gold, Petris’ two golds, and a sixth-place finish by Letizia Visintini in the individual competition.

The Numbers Behind the Drama

• Verzini’s Path to Gold: 0-4 deficit → 4-4 tie → 5-5 tie → 10-9 shoot-off victory
• Petris’ Mixed Team Comeback: 0-4 deficit → 5-4 shoot-off victory (17-15)
• Mijno’s Dominance: 12th national title, 8th consecutive championship
• Event Scale: 800+ archers expected for the upcoming able-bodied Targa Championships at the same venue

What’s Next for Italy’s Fresh Champions

With the national titles secured, attention now turns to international competition. The Italian Paralympic Committee will be closely monitoring performances as they begin preparations for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

For Verzini, this victory represents the culmination of years of dedication. “He’s not about to let go of this feeling now that he’s tasted it,” said his club following the win. The coming months will reveal whether he can build on this success and challenge for international honors.

Petris, meanwhile, continues to defy expectations. At an age when most athletes are still developing fundamental skills, she’s already competing – and winning – against the best in the country. Her performance in Rovereto suggests she could be a key part of Italy’s para archery future for years to come.

Key Takeaways from Rovereto

• Giuseppe Verzini claimed his first Italian national title in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 4-0 deficit to win in a shoot-off
• Elisabetta Petris won two gold medals – individual women’s recurve and mixed team – continuing her rapid rise in the sport
• The Compagnia Arcieri Cormons club dominated the competition, claiming three of six medals awarded
• Veteran Elisabetta Mijno extended her record with her 12th national title and 8th consecutive championship
• The Palakosmos arena in Rovereto will host over 800 archers for the upcoming able-bodied Targa Championships
• These results signal a changing of the guard in Italian para archery, with younger talents emerging alongside established stars

How to Follow Italian Para Archery

For official updates and future competition schedules, fans can follow:

• Comitato Italiano Paralimpico – Official website of the Italian Paralympic Committee
• Paralimpici.it – Italian Paralympic news and results
• Compagnia Arcieri Cormons – Club website for Verzini and Petris

The next major event on the Italian para archery calendar is the 2026 Italian Indoor Championships, with dates to be announced by the Comitato Italiano Paralimpico. Based on their performances in Rovereto, Verzini and Petris will undoubtedly be among the favorites to claim more hardware.

What did you feel of Verzini’s dramatic comeback or Petris’ continued dominance? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to follow Archysport for more para archery coverage from around the world.