Emma Paoloni, a 15-year-old athlete from San Ginesio, has won the Italian absolute Para-Archery title in the Visually Impaired category. Competing in Martinsicuro, Teramo, Paoloni secured the gold medal by defeating Maria Salaris of Arcieri Poggibonsi in the final.
Paoloni secures national title in Martinsicuro
The victory marks a rapid ascent for the young archer, who represents the Asd Arcieri del Medio Chienti of Belforte. Paoloni competed with Giacomo Feliziani serving as her technical guide during the tournament. This win follows a trajectory that began in June 2025, when she first took up the sport after completing her middle school exams.
The transition from beginner to national champion occurred in just over a year. Earlier in 2026, Paoloni competed in her first Italian Para-Archery indoor championship in Lamezia Terme, where she earned a silver medal to become the Italian vice-champion. The gold medal in Martinsicuro represents the final step in that progression.
First Para-Archery title for Arcieri del Medio Chienti
Marco Feliziani, president of the Asd Arcieri del Medio Chienti, stated that this is the first Italian title the association has achieved in the Para-Archery sector. He attributed the result to Paoloni’s talent, commitment, and passion, noting that she has been practicing the sport for less than a year and a half.
The title coincides with a record-breaking period for the club. According to Feliziani, the association reached a milestone of 50 Italian titles in 2025 and added six more in 2026, bringing their total to 56 national titles.
Athletic background and versatility
While new to archery, Paoloni has a long history in sports. Since childhood, she has practiced several disciplines, including swimming, judo, and skiing. Outside of athletics, she is a pianist.
The Visually Impaired category in Para-Archery is specifically reserved for athletes with visual disabilities. In this discipline, the technical guide plays a critical role in assisting the athlete with orientation and targeting, a partnership that proved successful for Paoloni and Feliziani in the final against Salaris.
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