Gabriel De Toffoli secured a bronze medal in the absolute category at the Italian archery championships, defeating defending champion Giuseppe Verzini in a shoot-off during his debut in the junior category. Competing in the 70-meter junior division, the 2009-born archer from Feltre captured attention on the national stage and set his sights on future international success, anchored by a lifelong ambition to reach the Paralympic Games.
A Childhood Inspiration Realized in Competition
The ambition to compete at the highest level of Paralympic sport took root when De Toffoli was nine years old. De Toffoli grew up inspired by the Belluno champion, sharing both the experience of competing in a wheelchair and a dedication to the sport of archery.
That early inspiration has translated into competitive results under the guidance of coach Aldo Andriolo of Arcieri del Piave, who has trained De Toffoli since 2017. Despite formally competing as an Allievo division athlete and attending the ITIS in Feltre, De Toffoli requested to enter the 70-meter junior category for the national event.
Competing for the National Podium
Qualification rounds placed De Toffoli among the top performers in his age group, translating into a strong overall seed against seasoned competitors. In the direct elimination matches, he won his opening bout before facing European team champion Stefano Travisani in the semifinals, where he dropped a 6-0 decision.
That result moved De Toffoli into the bronze medal match against Verzini, broadcast under tournament television cameras for the first time in the young athlete’s career. The match remained tied through regulation targets, forcing a decisive shoot-off arrow.
«I shot quickly, landing an eight leaning toward a nine, while my opponent hit nearly the same spot but slightly further from the center,» De Toffoli recounted of the final tiebreaker.
Support Systems and Future Goals
Reflecting on his rapid ascent from the Assi club to a national podium finish in under a decade, De Toffoli credited his family—including his father Daniele, who frequently joins him on the practice field, his mother Federica, and his grandparents Doriana and Ruggero, who travel long distances to transport him—alongside his coaching staff.
Born with a back condition that required surgery shortly after birth, De Toffoli maintains a high degree of independence. Last year, he gained international exposure by competing at the Youth Paralympic Games in Turkey.
Looking ahead, the young archer is preparing for the Coppa Italia and the indoor championships in Novara, aiming to refine his shooting technique. «This sport makes me happy, above all because it is the only one in which a person with a disability can compete on equal terms against able-bodied athletes,» De Toffoli said.
Related reading
