The road to the 2026 European Games, and potentially beyond to Los Angeles 2028, is firmly in focus for Italian recurve archer Roberta Di Francesco. Coming off a successful 2023 that included a national title and medals at both the World Games and European Indoor Championships, Di Francesco is now laser-focused on securing a spot at the European Games – a crucial stepping stone toward Olympic qualification. Her journey, she says, has been profoundly influenced by watching fellow Italian archer Lucilla Boari compete on the world stage.
Di Francesco recently reflected on her relatively recent entry into the sport, beginning in 2018. “I finished the introductory course a bit late, in June,” she explained. “It was the start of the outdoor season, and I didn’t have enough draw weight to reach the full distance – 60 meters, as I was a cadet at 15 years old. I spent that entire summer shooting at 18 meters because I simply couldn’t manage 60.” This early challenge, she admits, instilled a resilience that continues to serve her well.
The Italian archer’s rise has been swift. Last year, she earned a medal at the World Games and secured gold at the European Indoor Championships as part of the team. Domestically, she claimed the Italian national title, defeating veteran Tatiana Andreoli – a significant achievement that underscored her growing prowess. Andreoli, born January 1, 1999, is herself a decorated archer, having won gold at the 2019 European Games in Minsk, Belarus, and multiple medals at European and World Championships, including a bronze medal in the mixed team recurve event at the 2022 European Archery Championships in Munich. More on Andreoli’s career can be found here.
Di Francesco acknowledges the mental aspect of competition is often the most challenging. “It really depends on the moment,” she said, recalling her experience at the World Archery Hunter and Field Championships in Aqaba. “I remember feeling tense in the final, but it was a manageable tension. I felt confident in my abilities, especially after a successful lead-up to the event. I think having that positive momentum is crucial – it reinforces the belief that you *can* perform.” She also noted the importance of self-belief, particularly when facing difficulties. “It’s about reminding yourself that you do this every day, and you do it well. That’s what I’m working on – regaining that confidence when things get tough.”
Reflecting on a recent European competition, Di Francesco described a challenging final. “It was tough to accept, starting with two scores of 28 out of 60. That’s not ideal for a final. I had been shooting well in the previous days, aside from a technical issue during the team matches. I expected to start with 30. Despite the result, I focused on the process, on the control points of the shot. I recovered, shooting three 30s and a 29. I was disappointed because if my opponent had matched my final shot, she would have won, and I had shot a 30 hoping she would falter.”
The influence of Lucilla Boari on Di Francesco’s career is significant. Before joining the national youth teams in 2021, Di Francesco wasn’t particularly engaged with sports. “I wasn’t very good at traditional sports like volleyball or soccer, and I wasn’t encouraged at school,” she explained. “My interest really sparked when I started archery. Watching Lucilla Boari in the Olympic final in 2021 was a powerful moment, and she became a huge inspiration to me. Now, I have the opportunity to train with her every day, but I haven’t told her that yet.”
Looking ahead, Di Francesco’s primary goal for 2026 is the European Target Championships. “It’s the main event, as it offers qualification spots for the European Games, which in turn provide Olympic qualification cards,” she stated. “We’re focusing all our energy on this event, which takes place in May, during the last week of the month, and represents our second competition of the season after the Antalya Grand Prix.”
When asked to describe her career in a single word, Di Francesco chose “exciting.” “When I started in 2018, I never imagined I’d become a professional athlete, join the Fiamme Azzurre (the Italian national sports group), become a penitentiary police officer, and make a living shooting archery. It’s been a stroke of luck, a fairytale. Archery has given me so much, taught me, and motivated me to keep going every day, even through difficult times.”
Italy is sending a strong contingent to the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, with athletes competing in 24 sports and 130 events. Italy secured 13 gold, 25 silver, and 19 bronze medals at the 2025 World Games, finishing fourth in the medal table. The success of athletes like Di Francesco underscores the growing strength of Italian archery on the international stage.
Di Francesco’s dedication and focus are clear as she prepares for the crucial European Target Championships. The event will not only test her skills but also serve as a pivotal moment in her pursuit of Olympic dreams. For archery fans, it’s a competition to watch closely, as it could determine who represents Italy at the highest level of the sport.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Roberta Di Francesco is the European Target Championships in May. Fans can follow updates on her progress through the official channels of the Italian Archery Federation and World Archery.
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