Bosansky reflects on strongest start yet to a World Cup season

Jozef Bosansky believes changes to his mindset and technique have been the key to his strong start to the Hyundai Archery World Cup season.

The Slovakian won his first World Cup stage medal at the age of 46 in April’s opener in Antalya, beating US teenager Sawyer Sullivan by one point in a thrilling final.

“I have started working with a mental coach,” Bosansky said. “And since last year, coach Angelo Ruiz helps me during competitions.”

He described winning gold as “a very emotional moment” which provided satisfaction for the hard work he has put in, with a focus on replicating his training form key to managing his nerves in the final.

“I felt quite relaxed,” he said. “I switched to training mode and it worked. I was very pleased with every single nice shot. I truly enjoyed it.”

The compound archer explained having changed his technique.

“The guys at Ramrods Archery have done a lot for me. They developed specialised stabilisers for me that can hold extra heavy weight, which is amazing.”

Bosansky also credits financial support from the Slovak government as key to his improved fortunes. 

Bosansky fell in the quarterfinal at the second stage of the international tour in Shanghai but continues to show the best form of his career. 

His place at the Hermosillo 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final has already been secured.

“Last year, I wasn’t in Mexico [for the World Cup Final] and I was very sorry about that,” he said.

“At the beginning of the season, I had given myself a goal to go to get there and that was also my goal for this season.”

This summer’s Hyundai World Archery Championships in Berlin offer another opportunity to make his mark on the global stage.

“At the world championships, I will go in as I do in every competition – having fun from each good shot,” he added. “A nice result would be a welcome bonus.”

Having climbed to fifth place in the Sanlida World Archery Rankings – a career-best – following the first two stages of 2023, Bosansky is targeting finishing this season eighth or better in the global leaderboard.

Bosansky considers himself a gourmand and he likes tasting new food.

He celebrated his Antalya success in fitting fashion at an Indian restaurant with Sergio Pagni, Rishabh Yadav and Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar before heading to a disco with the Danish team.

“I can’t say that any place is the best, everywhere I have visited had something specific I enjoyed,” he said.

But still, the Slovakian archer is particularly looking forward to the next stop on the world tour in Medellin.

“As a lover of steaks and fruits, I must admit that Colombia has a special place in my heart.”

The third stage of the 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup sees the tour return to the city of eternal spring on 13-18 June.

Known for its temperate climate, sunshine and rainfall, Medellin is covered in vegetation – and cultivates a huge variety of fruit. Outside the archery range at Unidad Deportiva de Belen, which will host this year’s qualifying and elimination rounds, a popular food cart sells fresh salpicon – the Colombian fruit cocktail – from the early morning.

The perfect way to start the day for an archer, and foodie, making his mark in 2023.