Preview: Archery makes debut at continental Para Youth Games in Istanbul

Youth para archers from across Europe are assembling in Istanbul for the European Para Youth Games – a multisport event for para athletes aged between 12 and 23 from the member countries of the European Paralympic Committee.

This is the seventh edition of the biennial event, and the first time that para archery is included on the programme, alongside boccia, goalball, judo, swimming, taekwondo and table tennis.

It marks part of a global expansion of para archery into youth multisport events. The discipline is also set to feature at the Youth Para Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile in November and at the Asia Youth Para Games in Dubai in December.

In Istanbul, 26 archers from seven countries will compete across three categories in individual competition. Italy fields the largest delegation, and several athletes will shoot in more than one category.

Archers are not split by gender but by bowstyle – recurve, compound and W1 – with men and women competing together in each event.

Key information

What’s happening?  The seventh European Para Youth Games, held for the first time in Istanbul, Türkiye. Archery takes place on 23–25 July at the Cebeci Sports Complex.

What’s at stake?  Titles in individual events across three mixed competition categories.

Who’s competing? A total of 26 archers representing seven nations: Azerbaijan, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Slovakia and host Türkiye.

What’s the story? This year’s European Para Youth Games is the largest edition yet – and the inclusion of archery reflects growing opportunities for para athletes to compete and gain experience on a major international stage.

Who’s competing?

These are the top-ranked archers competing in Istanbul:

• Recurve: Jule Lammers, Germany (world ranking: 38)
• Compound: Andor Kollár, Hungary (world ranking: 145)
• W1: Francesco Tomaselli, Italy (world rank: 36)

Competition at the 2025 European Para Youth Games begins with qualifying on Wednesday.