From Youth to Elite

 
  Recurve   Romain GIROUILLE (FRA) photo There is a big step between juniors and seniors. The level is really higher. The first competitions were quite tough. You have to get into the rhythm and work more to be at the top level. The competitions are very different in atmosphere. You can try to compare Junior Cups to World Cups and you discover they are incomparable. The stress levels, the tension, the atmosphere, etc. There is more of everything in a World Cup event.   Crispin DUENAS (CAN) For me it was very progressive and I didn’t feel such a big difference. I think shooting at high level either in youth or in senior implies a lot of practise and lots of dedication. You’re always aiming to do your best. And most juniors now have such good preparation; very close to we all do here. Although the atmosphere is different, the way to shoot the arrows is still the same!   Magali FOULON (ESP) There is a difference of level. The big change for me was going to Madrid and training with our Korean coach. The atmosphere of the competition also changes. In youth, archers are more open and all talk together. In Senior archers are more individual and more serious.   Compound   Tanja ZORMAN (CRO) I think that in the junior competitions the archers shoot more for pleasure and less for performance and this makes a better atmosphere with less tension. In the World Cups all the archers are shooting to be the best. If you aren’t part of the top archers, people don’t consider you in the same way. In fact I liked the youth competitions more because the archers competing are simply more relaxed.   Ivana BUDEN (CRO) For sure there is a big level difference. In youth competitions the 2-3 best have a very high level and are not far from senior level, but all the others have a lower level. This means in junior the competitions aren’t as open as here. In the World Cups a lot of people can win. This implies more tension, more stress and more seriousness. Of course fun is also an important part. It’s the point of sport. The way to succeed is pleasure. For me it was quite hard to adapt. I had to train harder and increase my preparation to get used to the senior system.   Thomas RENSCH FITA Communication