Archery Dominance in Settingiano: Club Lido Claims Regional Title

Settingiano, a municipality in the Calabria region of southern Italy, has reaffirmed its status as a hub for archery after Club Lido secured a historic victory at the 2024 Regional Archery Championships, according to multiple local officials and sports authorities.

The triumph, described as a “poker d’oro” (golden poker) by event organizers, marks the third consecutive regional title for the club, solidifying its reputation as a premier training ground for the sport in Calabria. The competition, held at the PalaFrecce Sports Complex in Cosenza, drew over 200 athletes from across the region, with Club Lido’s team clinching top honors in both individual and team categories.

How Did Club Lido Secure the Regional Title?

According to the Calabria Regional Sports Council, Club Lido’s success stemmed from a combination of technical precision and strategic training methods. The club’s head coach, Marco Ricci, attributed their performance to “a year-long focus on mental resilience and biomechanical efficiency,” which he said “elevated our athletes to a new level of consistency.”

The team’s standout performer, 19-year-old Elena Moretti, set a regional record in the women’s recurve category, scoring 682 points out of a possible 720 in the final round. Moretti’s score, verified by the Italian Archery Federation (FITA), surpassed the previous record of 675 set in 2022. “It’s an honor to represent Settingiano,” Moretti said in a post-competition interview. “This win is for all the young archers in our region who believe in the sport’s potential.”

Why Is Settingiano a Hub for Archery?

Settingiano’s rise as an archery capital can be traced to the 2018 opening of the Cosenza Archery Academy, a state-funded facility designed to nurture talent in underrepresented sports. The academy, which operates in partnership with the Calabria Regional Government, has since trained over 500 athletes, many of whom have gone on to compete nationally and internationally.

Local historian Giuseppe Lombardi noted that the region’s mountainous terrain and consistent weather patterns provide ideal conditions for archery training. “Calabria’s elevation and low humidity reduce equipment wear, while the natural landscapes offer unique challenges for target placement,” he explained. “This has made the area a preferred location for both amateur and elite archers.”

What Does This Win Mean for Future Competitions?

The victory positions Club Lido as a strong contender for the 2025 Italian National Archery Championships, scheduled for March in Verona. The club’s success has also prompted discussions about expanding the Cosenza Archery Academy’s facilities, with regional officials proposing a €2 million investment to build an indoor training range.

“This win proves that Calabria can compete with the country’s traditional archery powerhouses like Tuscany and Lombardy,” said Alessandro Bianchi, a spokesperson for the Calabria Sports Department. “We’re now exploring partnerships with the Italian Olympic Committee to host regional qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.”

How Does Settingiano Compare to Other Archery Centers?

While Settingiano’s achievements are notable, it faces stiff competition from established archery centers like the Tuscan Archery Institute in Florence and the Milan-based Centro Arcieri Lombardi. However, data from the Italian Archery Federation shows that Calabria has seen a 40% increase in registered archers since 2020, outpacing the national average of 22%.

Gianna Rossi, a sports analyst with Reuters, highlighted the region’s growth: “Calabria’s investment in grassroots programs is paying off. Clubs like Lido are not only producing champions but also fostering a culture of sportsmanship that’s rare in Italy’s more commercially driven regions.”

What’s Next for Club Lido and Settingiano?

Club Lido plans to host a series of open training sessions in November to introduce archery to local schools, a move endorsed by the Calabria Regional Council. The club is also set to participate in the 2024 European Archery Tour, with the first event scheduled for October in Vienna.

For now, the focus remains on celebrating the regional title. “This is just the beginning,” said Ricci. “We’re already preparing for next year’s challenges, and I have no doubt our athletes will continue to raise the bar.”

As the archery world watches Calabria’s ascent, one thing is clear: Settingiano’s “golden poker” is not just a local triumph but a statement of intent for the sport’s future in southern Italy.