Two Maremma Archers Earn Selection for Dakar Youth Olympic Games
Niccolò Mazzuoli and Mattia Menditto have been selected by FITARCO and CONI for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. Mazzuoli secured his spot on the Italian Youth National Team for the recurve bow division, while Menditto was named as a reserve, marking a milestone for the Compagnia Maremmana Arcieri “Giovanni dalle Bande Nere.”
Historic African Stage Sets Competition Format
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games mark the first time a five-rings Olympic event will be held on the African continent. Spanning 25 sports, the international multi-sport event features three recurve archery medal events: men’s individual, women’s individual, and the mixed team competition. Mazzuoli is scheduled to compete across all three categories.
The Italian Youth National Team for the recurve bow division is led by Technical Director Matteo Bisiani. Mazzuoli will team up in the mixed events alongside Matilde Manini of Arcieri Voghera, with Rachele Bandierini of ASD Malin Archery Team also traveling as a female reserve. The Italian youth athletes will face a field of 62 archers.
Competition Schedule at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium
The youth games run from October 31 to November 13. Archery competitions are slated from November 6 to November 10 at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, located approximately 30 kilometers from Dakar. Medal matches will be decided across three days on Sunday, November 8, Monday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 10.
Club Leadership Reflects on Milestone Selection
Stefano Mazzi expressed strong satisfaction with the dual selection, noting that the achievement highlights the daily dedication, passion, and collaborative effort of the athletes, coaches, and staff within the Maremma club. The inclusion of two archers from the same local organization places the Maremma region on the Olympic stage.
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