At just eight years old, Nara Prieto picked up a bow for the first time at the Feira Franca in Pontevedra, inspired by her grandfather who already practiced the sport. Today, the young athlete from Vilagarcía competes for the lead in the sub-15 recurve bow category in the Galician league, representing Club Boa Vila.

Her journey began during the traditional Feira Franca celebration, where she tried archery for the first time. “I started the initiation course at eight years old,” Prieto recalled in a recent interview with Diario de Pontevedra. “My grandfather already practiced, and since they have an archery section at Feira Franca, I went to try it and I liked it.”

What began as a casual introduction quickly became a passion. Prieto admitted she had not practiced any other sport before discovering archery, but the discipline immediately captivated her. “It was curious because before this discipline I didn’t practice any other sport,” she explained. “But archery fascinated me because not many people know it, it’s not practiced much, and I felt special trying it.”

Developing Skill and Mental Focus

Prieto acknowledges that the early stages of learning archery were not simple, but she quickly adapted to the technical aspects of the sport. “In the initiation course, you gradually obtain the hang of it,” she said. “Besides, you have a sight that marks a fixed point where the arrow will go. For me, it’s easier.”

However, she emphasizes that archery involves far more than simply picking up a bow and shooting. “I defend that this discipline ‘is not just grabbing the bow and shooting, as many say,’ but it involves a lot of physical work and ‘I believe above all mental work because in your head you have to be focused on the shot, on whether you place it in the yellow.'” She reiterated this point directly: “I believe archery has above all a lot of mental work because in your head you have to be focused on the shot, on whether you place it in the yellow.”

Her father has recently joined her in the sport, creating a family connection within the team. “Now my father is also going to start,” Prieto shared. “I’ll surely give him advice — it’s great to have family on the team.”

Training and Competition in Galicia

Prieto trains and competes at the archery field of Club Boa Vila in Pontevedra, where she has become one of the promising young talents in the Galician archery scene. Her current focus is on competing for the top position in the sub-15 recurve bow division of the Galician league.

The Galician archery league features regular competitions across the region, providing young athletes like Prieto with opportunities to develop their skills against peers from other clubs. Success in these youth categories often serves as a foundation for potential advancement to higher levels of competition within Spanish and international archery circuits.

While specific tournament dates and results from the current league season were not detailed in the available sources, Prieto’s stated goal of competing for the sub-15 leadership indicates active participation in ongoing league events throughout 2026.

The Sport of Recurve Archery

Recurve bow archery, the discipline Prieto practices, is one of the three main formats recognized in international competition, alongside compound and barebow. In recurve archery, athletes use bows with limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung, providing efficient energy transfer to the arrow.

Competition typically involves shooting at targets from set distances, with scoring based on where arrows land in concentric rings. The innermost ring, or “yellow” (often gold in color), represents the highest score. Prieto’s emphasis on placing arrows in the yellow aligns with standard archery scoring objectives.

For youth competitors in the sub-15 category, equipment specifications and competition distances are often adjusted to suit developing athletes while maintaining the core technical and mental challenges of the sport.

Family Influence and Support

Archery runs in Prieto’s family, beginning with her grandfather who first introduced her to the sport during the Feira Franca festivities. Her father’s recent decision to take up archery creates a multi-generational connection to the discipline within their household.

This family involvement reflects a broader trend in youth sports where parental participation can significantly influence a child’s continued engagement and development. Prieto’s willingness to offer advice to her father demonstrates both her growing expertise and the supportive environment fostered within Club Boa Vila.

The club appears to encourage such family participation, potentially strengthening community ties and creating a supportive atmosphere for young athletes navigating the challenges of competitive sports development.

Looking Ahead

As Prieto continues her development in the sub-15 category, her immediate focus remains on achieving success in the Galician league standings. Consistent performance in youth competitions can open doors to regional and national events, potentially leading to selection for representative teams.

The mental discipline she has cultivated — maintaining focus on shot execution and target placement — represents a skill set that extends beyond archery, benefiting academic pursuits and other life challenges. Her recognition of the sport’s mental demands at such a young age suggests a mature approach to athletic development.

With her grandfather’s legacy, her father’s new involvement, and her own growing commitment, Prieto embodies the intergenerational appeal of archery as a lifelong sport. Her journey from trying archery at a local festival to competing for league leadership illustrates the potential pathways available to young athletes who discover their passion through community sports initiatives.