Filippo Ferri Claims Italian National Archery Title at Trofeo Pinocchio 2026

Filippo Ferri secured the Italian national archery championship at the Trofeo Pinocchio 2026 in Viterbo, Lazio, on June 11, 2024, according to the Italian Archery Federation (FITA). The 25-year-old compound archer from Bologna edged out 2020 Tokyo Olympian Mauro Nespoli in a dramatic final, marking the first time an Italian has won the prestigious title since 2018. Ferri’s victory—captured in a 148-147 shoot-off—positions him as a top contender for Italy’s sole quota spot in the men’s compound event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Trofeo Pinocchio, Italy’s most prestigious archery tournament, drew 128 competitors across recurve and compound divisions. Held at the Viterbo Sports Center, the event featured elite athletes battling in temperatures reaching 28°C (82°F) under clear skies, conditions that favored Ferri’s precision technique. “Today was about consistency under pressure,” Ferri told reporters. “Every arrow had to count, and I’m proud of how the team supported me.”

Why This Victory Matters for Ferri and Italian Archery

• Olympic Qualification Pressure: Ferri’s win solidifies his standing as Italy’s best hope for a Paris Olympics medal in compound archery, where Italy has yet to secure a podium finish. The World Archery Federation ranks Ferri 12th globally in the compound discipline, just outside the automatic qualification threshold.
• Domestic Dominance: Ferri’s triumph extends his unbeaten streak in Italian national competitions since 2023, a run that includes victories at the 2023 Italian Championships and the 2024 Mediterranean Games qualifiers.
• Technical Edge: Unlike recurve archers who compete at distances up to 90 meters, compound archers like Ferri shoot at 70 meters with a mechanical advantage that allows for greater accuracy. His average score of 148.2 across the tournament highlights this precision.
• Coaching Shift: Ferri has worked with former Italian Olympian Mauro Nespoli since 2022, adopting a more aggressive draw technique that has become his trademark.

How Ferri Outshot Nespoli in the Final

The final round was a test of nerves, with both archers trading leads in the first eight ends. Ferri took a 7-6 advantage in the ninth end but saw Nespoli tie the score with a 10-ring bullseye. The deciding moment came in the 12th end: Ferri’s arrow landed in the 9-ring while Nespoli’s hit the 8-ring, sealing the victory.

Key Stats from the Final:

Ferri’s victory was the culmination of a strategic shift in Italian archery. While Nespoli remains Italy’s most decorated Olympian (with a silver medal from Tokyo 2020 in recurve), Ferri’s rise in compound archery reflects a broader trend: European nations increasingly prioritizing the compound discipline, where the equipment’s mechanical advantage allows for higher scores and greater consistency in windy conditions.

What This Means for Italy’s Olympic Hopes

Italy has qualified just one archer for the Paris Olympics—recurve specialist Lorenzo Mattioni, who will compete in the men’s individual event. Ferri’s performance at Trofeo Pinocchio puts him in pole position to earn the second Italian spot through the World Archery Olympic Qualification Tournament, scheduled for July 15–21 in Paris.

However, competition for the final Olympic berths is fierce. The top 16 compound archers in the World Archery rankings as of June 10, 2024, include seven Europeans, with the United States and South Korea dominating the top spots. Ferri’s next challenge: a series of high-stakes tournaments in World Cup stages in Antalya (June 24–30) and Shanghai (July 8–14), where the top finishers earn ranking points critical for Olympic qualification.

Ferri’s Path to Paris: The Next Steps

Ferri’s training regimen in the coming weeks will focus on three key areas, according to his coach, former Italian Olympian Andrea Parenti:

• Wind Adaptation: Ferri will train in Viterbo’s open-air ranges to simulate Parisian conditions, where wind speeds can exceed 10 km/h (6.2 mph) during outdoor events.
• Mental Resilience: Psychological coaching will emphasize maintaining focus during shoot-offs, a skill Ferri demonstrated in his Trofeo Pinocchio victory.
• Equipment Refinement: His compound bow, a Hoyt RX-7 with a 70-pound draw weight, will undergo adjustments to optimize performance in the Olympic format, which includes a 72-arrow ranking round.

Ferri’s next major tournament is the World Cup Stage in Antalya, Turkey (June 24–30), where he aims to climb into the top 10 globally. “Antalya is a proving ground,” Ferri said. “The competition there is as tough as any in the world, and I need to show I can perform under that pressure again.”

How to Follow Ferri’s Olympic Campaign

For updates on Ferri’s training and tournament schedule, follow these official channels:

• Italian Archery Federation (FITA) – Official results and news
• World Archery Rankings – Live standings and qualification paths
• Paris 2024 Archery Schedule – Event details and ticket information
• FITA Instagram – Behind-the-scenes training footage

Next Checkpoint: Filippo Ferri’s first post-Trofeo Pinocchio training camp begins June 15 in Bologna, with a focus on wind simulation and mental preparation. His next competitive appearance is the Antalya World Cup Stage (June 24–30), where he will aim to secure a top-10 finish.