Israeli archers Itaï Shanny and Roy Dror made history by reaching the final four in their second international field archery competition, culminating in an all-Israeli battle for the podium where Shanny claimed the bronze medal and Dror finished in fourth place.
The Path to the Semifinals
Competing under light rain during the tournament, both Shanny and Dror beat a demanding field of specialists before meeting each other in the final stages. Shanny advanced past several notable opponents, including Matteo Borsani of Italy—the 2025 World Games gold medalist—and British archer Patrick Huston. In the semifinal round, Shanny met American archer Brady Ellison, a five-time Olympic medalist, before moving into the medal bracket. On the other side of the draw, Dror secured his place in the final four after posting a score of 102 points out of 108 during the quarterfinal round.
Target-by-Target Breakdown of the Bronze Match
The head-to-head match between the two Israeli national team selection partners began on even footing. Under damp conditions, both archers scored 16 points each on the opening target. Shanny seized the lead on the second target, positioned 40 meters away among trees, by shooting a flawless 18 points to Dror’s 14. Dror clawed back points on the third target, but Shanny maintained his composure through the final challenge—a 55-meter shot aimed at a target suspended by a crane. Shanny secured the victory with a final score of 60 to 56.
“It was a good day for Israel,” Shanny said following his victory.
