Traditional archery is gaining new participants across southern Greater Buenos Aires, driven by the expansion of community-focused schools and grassroots instruction, Clarín reported.
“Es como que desaparece todo y estás vos, el arco, la flecha, el blanco y no hay nada más,” Miguel Dobarro told Clarín.
Dobarro founded ONA Sur 13 years ago to bring the discipline to the region. The school now operates four locations and serves about 100 federated archers.
Dobarro spent years working in gas and heating installations before a personal career crisis prompted a pivot to the sport. He first encountered archery at age 25 during an exhibition, bought his own bow shortly after, and two months later participated in a national beginner competition in which he became champion, Clarín reported.
“Fue como una especie de crisis personal. Terminé un proyecto y le dije a mi mujer: ‘No quiero hacer más esto,'” Dobarro told Clarín.
Training options in southern Greater Buenos Aires were sparse three decades ago, requiring trips to Capital Federal, Zona Norte, or the Tiro Federal in Lomas de Zamora. Dobarro eventually trained at an Avellaneda school before establishing ONA Sur in Valentín Alsina.
ONA Sur later moved its central operations to Club Roca in Remedios de Escalada. To accommodate students traveling from Burzaco, Adrogué, Monte Grande, and Longchamps, the organization opened additional branches in Gerli, Glew, and Monte Grande, where classes take place at Club La Manzana on Ramón Santamarina 1326, according to Clarín.
The school’s students have competed in regional, national, and Pan-American events, with some reaching the Argentine national team. Beyond competition, Dobarro emphasizes the sport’s individual nature.
“Es uno de los pocos deportes en los que el juego del otro no incide en el tuyo. Vos competís contra vos, tratás de superarte vos mismo en los movimientos, en todo lo que es la técnica para lograr la mayor perfección que puedas,” Dobarro told Clarín.
Instructors at ONA Sur provide equipment for beginners rather than requiring immediate purchases. Classes focus on posture, body mechanics, and repeatable technique.
“No hay que ser ni Arrow ni Robin Hood, es todo técnica,” instructors told Clarín.
“Quiero que lo disfruten, quiero que no dejen, aunque compitan, de divertirse con lo que hacen,” Dobarro told Clarín.
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