Sardinian Archers Dominate National Stage with 3D and Indoor Titles

Sardinian archery is currently experiencing a golden era, with athletes from the island securing a string of high-profile victories across multiple disciplines. From the rugged terrain of the 3D Absolute Championships to the precision-driven environment of the National Indoor circuit, the region has established itself as a powerhouse in Italian archery.

The recent surge in performance is not limited to a single club or style. Instead, it represents a broad-based movement of talent spanning traditional bows, barebow, and longbow categories. This momentum is particularly evident in the youth ranks, where Sardinian archers are consistently outperforming their mainland counterparts in high-pressure finals.

Precision in Pollino: 3D Absolute Championship Breakthroughs

The Italian Absolute 3D Championship, held in Pollino in the province of Trapani, served as a primary showcase for the region’s depth. The event highlighted a significant concentration of talent in Sassari, with athletes from that area claiming four of the seven medals brought home by Sardinian competitors.

In the Mixed Traditional Bow Under 20 category, Gabriele Arras and Martina Figus of Arcieri Torres delivered a commanding performance. The duo secured the national title after defeating the Arcieri di Avalon pairing of Garinei and Bianchi with a final score of 68-61.

The barebow division saw a repeat performance from Matteo Dessì. Representing ASD Annuagras Nurachi, Dessì claimed the Italian title in the Under 20 Barebow category for the second consecutive year. He won the final in a nail-biting finish, edging out Francesco Zanatta of Arcieri di Montebelluna with a score of 60-59.

While the gold medals grabbed the headlines, the Sardinian contingent showed remarkable consistency across the board:

• Eleonora Lai (Arcieri Torres Sassari): Earned a silver medal in the female barebow division, falling to Monica Pizzutto of Arcieri della Fenice FVG with a score of 63-55.
• Gabriele Arras (Arcieri Torres Sassari): Added a silver medal to his tally in the Traditional Male Under 20 category, finishing second to Alessandro Ganini of Arcieri Tre Torri (45-40).
• Arcieri Uras: The team of Cotza and Pinna secured silver in the Longbow Under 20 category, losing the final to Archi del Grande Falco (Li Calzi and Manca).
• Samuele Bonelli (Arcieri Galluresi): Took third place in the individual Longbow category, defeating Gabriele Montini of Arcieri Storici 60-48.
• Martina Figus (Arcieri Torres Sassari): Claimed bronze in the female traditional category. Her path to the podium was grueling, requiring a double shoot-off (spareggio) against defending champion Ylenia Bianchi, ending in a 10-10 and 10-0 sequence.

For those unfamiliar with the format, a “shoot-off” or spareggio occurs when athletes are tied in points, requiring a high-pressure single-arrow tiebreaker to determine the winner.

Indoor Excellence: Arcieri Quattro Mori Sweeps Rome

The success extends beyond the outdoor 3D circuits. On February 25, 2026, the National Indoor Barebow Championship in Rome saw a dominant display by the youth athletes of ASD Arcieri Quattro Mori.

Evelyn Casula emerged as the standout performer of the event, capturing the individual gold medal in the Girls’ Barebow category. Casula finished with a total of 457 points, comfortably ahead of silver medalist Emma Svaldi (448 points) and bronze medalist Valeria Massa (409 points). The depth of the Quattro Mori program was further evidenced by Anna Puddu and Roberta Esposito, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the same category.

The dominance continued in the team competition. The trio of Casula, Esposito, and Puddu combined their skills to secure the national team title for Arcieri Quattro Mori, cementing the club’s status as a premier training ground for young barebow archers in Italy.

A Deep-Rooted Tradition of Excellence

The current success is the result of decades of institutional growth. Arcieri Quattro Mori, founded in Cagliari in 1984, has been a cornerstone of the sport in Sardinia for over 40 years. The club played a pivotal role in the creation of the Comitato Fitarco Sardegna and was awarded the Bronze Star for Sporting Merit by CONI Sardegna in 2018.

Beyond competitive club archery, the region has invested in diversifying the sport’s reach. In Capoterra, Cagliari, the Poggio dei Pini field offers specialized training in instinctive archery. These programs focus on “field archery,” where athletes shoot at targets—often life-sized animal silhouettes—placed at varying distances and elevations throughout natural woodland terrain.

Sardinia has also proven its capability as a host for major events. The Arcieri Uras previously organized the 17th Italian 3D Championship (Memorial Marco Capelli) at the “Bella Sardinia” camping site in Torre del Pozzo. That event drew over 400 athletes, demonstrating the region’s ability to manage large-scale national competitions under the patronage of the Region of Sardinia.

Key Takeaways from the Sardinian Surge

• Youth Dominance: Sardinian archers are currently leading in Under 20 categories across 3D and Indoor disciplines.
• Regional Hubs: Sassari and Cagliari have emerged as dual epicenters of talent, with clubs like Arcieri Torres and Arcieri Quattro Mori producing national champions.
• Versatility: Success is spread across Barebow, Traditional, and Longbow categories, indicating a comprehensive training approach.
• Institutional Support: Long-term stability from clubs and recognition from CONI Sardegna have provided the foundation for current results.

Looking Ahead

The momentum for Sardinian archery shows no signs of slowing. The next major checkpoint for the region’s elite shooters will be the Italian Field Archery Championships. This prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Città della Pieve from September 26 to September 28.

With a strong contingent of athletes already proven in the 3D and Indoor circuits, expectations will be high as they transition to the challenging terrain of the field championships.

Do you consider the current youth surge in Sardinia will translate to more Olympic-style success in the coming years? Let us understand your thoughts in the comments below.