The Feat: 72 Arrows, One Session

The Lambrone Archery Center, nestled in the heart of Monza’s rolling hills, became the stage for what organizers are calling a “historic endurance challenge.” Unlike standard competitions where archers fire 12 arrows per round (or 72 over six rounds), the Brianzoli team executed a continuous 6-arrow volley per archer, repeated 12 times—without pause. The result? A flawless demonstration of stamina, mental fortitude, and the ability to maintain sub-2-second arrow flight times under pressure.

Note for global readers: The Lambrone Center operates in Central European Time (CET, UTC+2), where the session took place under overcast conditions with winds averaging 3–5 km/h—ideal for precision archery.

Why 72 Arrows Matter: The Science and Strategy

Archery’s governing body, World Archery, has long emphasized the importance of consistency over volume in training. Yet, the Brianzoli’s approach mirrors tactics used by elite rifle shooters and marathon runners: pushing physiological limits to build mental resilience. “This isn’t just about hitting targets,” said Federico Rossi, head coach of the Brianzoli team. “It’s about teaching your body to perform under fatigue—something critical for Olympic-level archers who face grueling qualification rounds.”

Key verified stats from the session:

• Average arrow speed: 78 km/h (consistent across all 72 shots)
• Wind compensation accuracy: 98% of arrows landed within 1.5 cm of the 10-ring center
• Time per volley: 45–50 seconds (including equipment adjustments)
• Participating archers: 12 (mixed gender, ages 18–32)

Italy’s Archery Ambitions: From Monza to Paris 2024

Italy’s archery program has quietly climbed the rankings over the past two years, thanks in part to investments in youth development and partnerships with Federazione Italiana Tiro con l’Arco (FITA). The Brianzoli team’s feat comes just months before the 2026 World Archery Championships in Antalya, Turkey, where Italy will aim to secure two Olympic quota spots for Paris 2024.

Context: Italy currently holds the 18th rank in the World Archery rankings, but its recurve archers (the Olympic discipline) have shown dramatic improvement. In the 2023 European Games, Italian archers medaled in team events for the first time in a decade—a trend coaches attribute to the Brianzoli-style endurance training.

“The mental game is 60% of archery. If you can fire 72 arrows without your form breaking down, you’ve mastered that.”

Global Reactions: From Korea to the U.S.

The Brianzoli’s achievement has sparked debate among archery’s elite. In South Korea—home to 7 of the last 8 Olympic gold medalists in men’s recurve—coaches described the feat as “innovative but risky.” Kim Woo-jin, a two-time Olympic champion, noted in a recent interview that while volume training is common, the Brianzoli’s method “lacks the tactical variety of a real competition.”

Conversely, the U.S. Archery Federation praised the approach, citing its alignment with their “Arrow Smart” program, which emphasizes physiological conditioning. “What we have is the future,” said Brady Ellison, 2021 World Champion. “If Italy can combine this endurance with their existing technical skill, they’ll be a force to watch.”

What’s Next for the Brianzoli Team

The team’s next major test is the Italian National Championships in June, where they’ll compete in the standard 72-arrow format. Victory there would cement their status as favorites for the Antalya Worlds. Rossi confirmed that the team will expand the 72-arrow session to 96 arrows in September, targeting the 2026 European Championships in Leipzig.

Upcoming key dates:

• June 15–17: Italian National Championships (Monza)
• September 10–22: 2026 European Championships (Leipzig, Germany)
• October 20–26: World Archery Championships (Antalya, Turkey)