The competition concluded on Friday with the U23 participants’ gold and bronze finals in the recurve, compound, and W1 events at the Istanbul 2025 European Youth Para Games. Ivan Denis of Slovakia defeated Sezgin Zeynep of Turkey 6-4 in the recurve, while Mustafa Birlik, the top seed, finished in bronze. In W1, Francesco Maria Sorato defeated his countryman Francesco Tomaselli 142-140 to thrill the Italian delegation with gold.
After the two archers deadlocked on 136 points apiece, Gabriele Saccoman defeated Liliana Lacova of Slovakia in a shootout to win the compound title, giving Italy extra cause for celebration. “I am really pleased with myself. It was the best I could do. “It’s amazing to win on my international debut,” a jubilant Saccoman remarked afterward. “I understand that this only makes up a small portion of all the worldwide competitions and qualifications, but this is a good beginning for becoming a significant athlete in the future. I have the chance to develop as an athlete, start becoming stronger, and become more effective in the future thanks to the gold medal.
With two golds and one silver, Italy would top the five-nation medal table. Although the competition had a small number of participants, it was extremely significant for the sport. “Participating in the youth multisport events gives para archery more chance to be highlighted,” stated Dominique Ohlmann, tournament director. Events including many sports have a greater ability to communicate, which can benefit all disciplines. Participating in it also acknowledges paraarchery as a “real” sport.
“The EPYG in Istanbul has given an incredible highlight of our discipline that we normally wouldn’t or couldn’t expect at a youth event with seven countries and 26 athletes.”
Following Istanbul, in 2025 para archery will also be present in Santiago de Chile at the Para Panamerican Youth Games, and in Dubai for the Asia Youth Para Games. Like the European Youth Para Games, these events will also feature U23 athletes with competition indoors at 18m.
Dubai will also host the first International event dedicated to U21 para archers from 28-30 October, part of a global expansion of youth para archery that has been many years in development.
The competition in Istanbul has been an important milestone on that journey.
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