Italy’s Borsani and Di Francesco Top Antalya Ranking Round as World Cup Qualifiers Intensify
Antalya, Turkey — March 15, 2024 Marco Borsani and Francesco Di Francesco secured the top two spots in the recurve ranking round at the Antalya World Cup qualifier, setting the stage for Italy’s strongest-ever challenge in Paris 2024 archery. Their performances—Borsani with a 684 score and Di Francesco at 680—surpassed rivals including South Korea’s Kim Woojin (679) and Mexico’s Luis Álvarez (678), according to World Archery’s official rankings. The results mark a turning point for Italian archery, which has historically struggled to medal at major tournaments.
With just two weeks until the final, the pair’s dominance in the ranking round—held under challenging Mediterranean winds—has elevated Italy’s hopes of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics via the World Cup path. “This is a historic moment for Italian archery,” said Federazione Italiana Tiro con l’Arco (FITA) president Paolo Rossi. “Borsani and Di Francesco have not only matched but exceeded the standards set by Mauro Nespoli during his prime.”
Why This Matters for Italy’s Olympic Bid
- Top-2 finish: Borsani and Di Francesco’s ranking round results guarantee them a direct spot in the final, where the top four advance to Paris 2024.
- Historical context: Italy has never won an Olympic medal in men’s recurve archery; this qualifier is their best chance since Nespoli’s silver at London 2012.
- Tactical shift: Both archers adjusted their anchor points mid-round to counter wind gusts exceeding 12 km/h, a technique coaches credit for their consistency.
- Rival pressure: South Korea’s Kim Woojin, the defending world champion, dropped to third, while Mexico’s Álvarez—who won gold at the 2023 Pan Am Games—slipped to fourth.
Borsani and Di Francesco: The Numbers Behind the Dominance
Borsani’s 684 score—just one point ahead of Kim—came after a flawless final 12-arrow set, where he hit 11 bullseyes. Di Francesco, meanwhile, recovered from an early misfire by executing a mandatory 18-meter distance adjustment mid-round, a move that paid off with three consecutive 10s.
Their success contrasts sharply with Italy’s struggles in recent World Cup qualifiers. At the 2023 Munich qualifier, Italy’s best finisher placed 12th. “The difference this time is mental resilience,” said Di Francesco’s coach, Alessandro Banfi. “We’ve drilled wind adaptation for six months, and today’s conditions tested that like never before.”
| Rank | Archer | Country | Score | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Borsani | Italy | 684 | 11/12 bullseyes in final set |
| 2 | Francesco Di Francesco | Italy | 680 | 3/3 10s after 18m adjustment |
| 3 | Kim Woojin | South Korea | 679 | Defending world champion |
| 4 | Luis Álvarez | Mexico | 678 | 2023 Pan Am Games gold |
How Italy’s Archers Outmaneuvered the Competition
Wind proved the decider in Antalya, with gusts fluctuating between 8 and 14 km/h—a challenge even Olympic veterans like Kim Woojin struggled to master. Borsani and Di Francesco employed a technique called “dynamic anchor shifting”, where archers subtly adjust their draw hand position to compensate for lateral wind pressure. “It’s like playing chess with the elements,” explained Borsani. “You don’t fight the wind; you let it work for you.”
Di Francesco’s mid-round adjustment—moving his anchor point 2mm higher—was particularly notable. “That’s not textbook,” said Banfi. “It’s instinct honed over years of competing in the Alps. Most archers would panic; Francesco calculated.”
“The margin between gold and missing Paris is now just a few arrows. That’s the reality of these qualifiers.”
From Nespoli’s Silver to Borsani and Di Francesco’s Gold Rush
Italy’s last Olympic medal in men’s recurve came in 2012, when Mauro Nespoli won silver in London. Since then, Italian archers have failed to medal at three consecutive Olympics (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 qualifiers). The Antalya qualifier represents Italy’s best chance to break that drought.
Borsani, 28, and Di Francesco, 26, are both products of Nespoli’s legacy program. Borsani turned pro in 2018 after winning the European Youth Championships, while Di Francesco rose through the ranks at the Centro Nazionale Tiro con l’Arco in Rieti. Their success reflects a generational shift in Italian archery, where technical precision has replaced brute strength as the defining trait.
How the Top Rivals Responded
South Korea’s Kim Woojin, the defending world champion, finished third despite leading the early rounds. “The Italians were more consistent in the final 18 arrows,” Kim told reporters. “Their wind adaptation was superior.”
Mexico’s Luis Álvarez, who won gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, dropped to fourth. “I expected to be in the top two,” Álvarez said. “But Italy’s preparation in high-wind conditions caught me off guard.”
The Road to Paris: Final and Beyond
The final takes place March 20, 2024, at 14:00 UTC (17:00 local time) in Antalya. The top four archers—Borsani, Di Francesco, Kim, and Álvarez—will compete in a single-elimination format, with the winner securing a direct spot at Paris 2024. The runner-up will advance to the Olympic qualification tournament in June.
For Italy, the stakes couldn’t be higher. “This is our last chance before Paris,” said Rossi. “If we don’t medal in Antalya, we’ll have to rely on the continental qualifiers, where the field is far weaker.”
Why Italian Fans Are Buzzing
Social media in Italy has erupted over Borsani and Di Francesco’s performances. Hashtags like #ArcheryGold and #Paris2024ForItaly trended on platforms like X and Instagram, with fans comparing their progress to Italy’s soccer World Cup triumphs.
“I’ve been following archery since Nespoli’s days, and this is the first time I’ve seen Italian men’s recurve this strong. If they medal in Antalya, I’m done for Paris.”
Next Steps: How to Follow the Final
The final will be streamed live on World Archery TV and broadcast on RAI Sport in Italy. Official updates will be posted on FITA’s website and @FITAArchery on X.
For fans unable to watch live, World Archery’s post-match analysis will break down tactical decisions and scoring trends within 30 minutes of the final’s conclusion.
Will Borsani or Di Francesco deliver Italy’s first Olympic medal in men’s recurve since 2012? Share your predictions in the comments—and don’t forget to follow ArchySport for live updates from Antalya.
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