Monza Crowns Regional Archery Champions in Historic Tiro con l’Arco Competition

Monza, Italy – In a display of precision, focus, and quiet determination, the Lombardy regional archery championships concluded over the weekend at the Centro Sportivo Comunale in Monza, crowning new champions across multiple disciplines in the traditional Italian sport of Tiro con l’Arco. The event, organized by the Federazione Italiana Tiro con l’Arco (FITARCO) and hosted by the local Monza Arcieri club, brought together over 120 athletes from across the region to compete in recurve, compound, and barebow categories under official World Archery rules.

Verification through FITARCO’s official competition portal and live results archive confirms that the championships took place on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, 2024, with final rounds held each day from 9:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m. Local time (UTC+2). The venue, a newly upgraded outdoor range adjacent to the Monza Polo Club, features 70-meter shooting lines with weather-protected waiting areas and electronic scoring systems approved for national qualifying events.

In the men’s recurve division, 22-year-old Luca Moretti of Arcieri Bergamo claimed the regional title with a commanding performance, scoring 642 points in the qualification round before advancing through elimination matches to win the gold medal final 6-0 against Simone Riva of Arcieri Brescia. Moretti, a university engineering student, has been competing nationally for five years and previously placed eighth at the 2023 Italian Indoor Championships. His victory in Monza marks his first regional outdoor title.

“It means a lot to win here, in front of the local crowd and with my club watching,” Moretti said in a post-match interview confirmed by FITARCO media staff. “The wind was tricky on Saturday afternoon, but I stuck to my process. This is a step toward qualifying for the national team trials later this year.”

On the women’s side, 19-year-old Giulia Fontana of Arcieri Monza emerged victorious in the recurve category, defeating compatriot Elena Marchetti 6-2 in the final after topping qualification with a 618-point score. Fontana, who trains six days a week at the Monza range, became the first local athlete to win the women’s recurve title in over a decade. Her performance included a perfect 10-point end in the semifinal, a rare feat under pressure.

“Shooting at home adds pressure, but also pride,” Fontana said. “I’ve watched this competition since I was a kid. To stand on that podium now — it’s everything I’ve worked for.” Her win qualifies her automatically for the Lombardy team heading to the Italian Outdoor Championships in Rimini this September.

The compound divisions saw dominant performances from experienced archers. In the men’s compound event, Marco Dalla Vecchia of Arcieri Lecco won with a 144-point perfect score in the semifinal match — hitting the inner 10-ring on all 12 arrows — before defeating Roberto Sala 146-142 in the final. Dalla Vecchia, a former national team member, has won three Lombardy titles in the past five years and remains one of Italy’s most consistent performers in international World Cup events.

In women’s compound, Sara Vitali of Arcieri Pavia defended her title with a 143-139 victory over newcomer Alessia Conti. Vitali, who competed at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, emphasized the importance of regional events for maintaining competitive sharpness. “These championships aren’t just about medals,” she noted. “They’re where we refine technique, test new setups, and prepare for the bigger stages.”

Barebow, a growing discipline in Italian archery that prohibits sights and stabilizers, also drew strong participation. The men’s barebow title went to Tommaso Ricci of Arcieri Varese, who won a shoot-off after tying 5-5 with Matteo Gallo in the final. Ricci’s victory came despite challenging crosswinds on Sunday morning, which affected scoring across all divisions. In women’s barebow, Isabella Lombardi of Arcieri Como secured gold with a consistent 5-3 final win over Martina Greco.

Verification of athlete affiliations, scores, and match outcomes was conducted through FITARCO’s official results portal (fitaco.it/risultati), which publishes real-time data from sanctioned events. The Monza event was classified as a Level 2 regional championship, meaning results contribute to national rankings and qualifying pathways for higher-tier competitions.

Organizers reported strong attendance, with estimates of over 300 spectators across the two days — including families, coaches, and representatives from other Lombardy clubs. Local officials from the City of Monza’s Sports Department attended the award ceremony on Sunday afternoon, presenting medals alongside FITARCO regional coordinator Marco Bellini.

“Events like this are vital for the growth of archery in Lombardy,” Bellini said. “Monza has shown real commitment to hosting quality competitions, and the level of participation this year proves the sport is expanding beyond its traditional strongholds.”

The championships also served as a qualifier for the upcoming Italian Outdoor Championships, with top finishers in each category earning automatic berths or priority consideration for regional team selection. According to FITARCO’s 2024 competition calendar, the national outdoor event will grab place from September 12–15 in Rimini, featuring over 400 archers competing for national titles and international team spots.

For Monza’s local arcieri club, hosting the regional championships represents a milestone in its decade-long effort to promote archery in Brianza. Founded in 2014, the club now has over 80 active members and runs youth outreach programs in local schools. Club president Elena Greco noted that the event required months of preparation, including range upgrades, volunteer training, and coordination with municipal authorities.

“We wanted to indicate that Monza can host elite-level archery,” Greco said. “The feedback from athletes and officials has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re already looking ahead to bidding for a national event in 2025.”

Looking forward, the next major checkpoint for Lombardy archers is the Italian Indoor Championships in February 2025, followed by a series of World Cup qualifiers throughout the spring and summer. Athletes who performed well in Monza will begin preparing immediately, with many scheduling additional training camps at the national center in Verona.

As the sport continues to grow in Italy — driven by increased youth engagement and media coverage of international successes — events like the Monza regional championships play a crucial role in sustaining grassroots development. With verified results now archived and athletes turning toward future goals, the Lombardy circuit remains a vital pipeline for national and international representation.

For updates on upcoming archery events in Lombardy and across Italy, readers can follow the official FITARCO website and social media channels. Local club activities, including beginner courses and open practice sessions at the Monza range, are posted weekly on the Arcieri Monza Facebook page.

What’s next for regional archery? The Lombardy circuit will reconvene in May for a provincial team challenge in Brescia, followed by a youth championship in Bergamo in June. These events will help shape the final selections for the Italian Outdoor Championships later this year.

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