Italy has unveiled its official roster for the upcoming World Archery Para European Championships, set to take place in Rome from July 15 to 21, 2024. The Italian Paralympic Committee confirmed the selection of 12 athletes across recurve and compound divisions, marking a significant step in the nation’s preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games later this summer.
The championships, hosted at the historic Stadio Olimpico’s adjacent archery field, will serve as a critical qualifying event for several Paralympic berths. With Rome’s summer temperatures averaging between 24°C and 31°C (75°F to 88°F) during mid-July, athletes will compete under typical Mediterranean conditions — warm, dry, and occasionally breezy — factors that could influence arrow flight and scoring consistency, particularly in outdoor compound events.
Among the standout names is Elisabetta Mijno, a double Paralympic medalist who won bronze in the women’s individual recurve at Tokyo 2020 and silver in the mixed team event. Now 36, Mijno returns to the European stage after a strong 2023 season that included a fourth-place finish at the World Championships in Plzeň. Her experience will be vital as Italy aims to secure multiple quota spots for Paris.
Joining her in the recurve squad are Stefano Travisani, a consistent top-10 finisher on the World Cup circuit since 2019, and young prospect Anna Menconi, who earned her maiden international medal with a team bronze at the 2023 European Para Championships in Olbia. Travisani, 34, has been particularly steady in recent months, posting a personal-best 682 in the 720-round during a World Cup Stage 1 event in Antalya in April.
In the compound division, Italy fields a balanced mix of youth and experience. Paolo Tonon, a two-time European medalist and veteran of three Paralympic Games, leads the men’s contingent. At 41, Tonon remains a formidable presence, having shot a perfect 150/150 in a domestic ranking round earlier this year — a rare feat in para compound archery. He will be paired with 24-year-old Giulia Fiorese, whose rapid rise includes a individual silver at the 2023 World Championships in the women’s compound open category.
The women’s compound team also features Veronica Floreno, who captured gold in the mixed team event at the 2022 World Championships in Dubai, and newcomer Alessandra Mastroianni, making her senior international debut after winning national trials in May with a score of 698 out of 720. Floreno, 29, has been instrumental in Italy’s recent team successes, while Mastroianni’s inclusion signals a strategic investment in future Paralympic cycles.
Completing the roster are athletes competing in the W1 category, which accommodates archers with impairments in both upper and lower limbs. Federico Musolesi, a Tokyo 2020 Paralympian, returns after narrowly missing the podium in Japan. He will be joined by novice archer Sara Bettinelli, who earned her spot through consistent performances in national ranking events over the past 18 months. The W1 division, known for its demanding physical and technical requirements, will witness Italy fielding a full team for the first time since 2019.
Head coach Andrea Longinotti emphasized the importance of the Rome event as both a competitive benchmark and a preparatory platform. “This isn’t just about medals,” Longinotti told the Italian Paralympic Committee in a recent interview. “It’s about execution under pressure, refining our routines, and ensuring every athlete knows exactly what they demand to do when we step onto the line in Paris. Rome gives us that chance — on home soil, with our support systems in place.”
The European Championships will follow World Archery’s standard para format: a 72-arrow ranking round followed by head-to-head matchplay. In recurve events, matches are decided using the set system (two arrows per end, best of five sets), while compound and W1 divisions leverage cumulative scoring over 15 arrows (five ends of three arrows). Tiebreakers will be resolved via single-arrow shoot-offs, a format that has produced dramatic finishes in recent international competitions.
Italy’s squad depth reflects a broader investment in para archery by the Italian Paralympic Committee, which has increased funding for coaching, equipment, and sports science support since 2021. Athletes now have access to biomechanical analysis tools and personalized training plans through the Committee’s high-performance center in Rome — resources that have contributed to improved consistency in recent international outings.
Historically, Italy has been a medal contender in European para archery, securing team silver in the recurve event at the 2018 Championships in Nové Město and bronze in the compound women’s team at the 2021 edition in Olbia. A strong showing in Rome could not only boost morale but also improve seeding for the Paris Paralympics, where qualification is partially determined by world rankings accumulated through events like this one.
Ticket sales for the championships opened in early June, with daily passes available through the official World Archery website. Organizers expect several thousand spectators over the seven-day competition, particularly for the medal rounds scheduled on July 20 and 21. Live streaming will be provided via World Archery’s YouTube channel and the Italian Paralympic Committee’s digital platforms, ensuring global access for fans unable to attend in person.
As the countdown to Paris continues, the Rome European Championships represent a pivotal moment for Italy’s para archery program. With a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, the squad enters the competition with realistic hopes of podium finishes across multiple categories — and, more importantly, the confidence that comes from performing well when it matters most.
The next major checkpoint for these athletes will be the final Paralympic qualification ranking update, expected in early August following the conclusion of all qualifying events. For now, the focus remains on Rome — where every arrow loosed will carry the weight of preparation, and the potential to shape Italy’s Paralympic summer.
Stay tuned to Archysport for ongoing coverage of the World Archery Para European Championships, including results, athlete insights, and analysis of what the outcomes indicate for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
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