Yolanda Ghaloul Gonzalez on reshaping perspectives for Syrian women through archery
As Syria enters a new era, so does its archery – bright, blooming and breaking boundaries.
Born in Homs and now living in Salamanca, Spain since 2018, Yolanda Ghaloul Gonzalez made history this week before releasing her first arrow in Madrid – the fourth stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup – becoming the first Syrian archer ever to compete on the sport’s premier international circuit.
Shooting in the compound women’s event, she’s only three years into her archery journey – and already aiming high.
“At the beginning, I didn’t imagine it would be so fast, but I was looking forward to progressing so I could participate in international events,” said the 42-year-old, whose father is Syrian and mother is Spanish.
Yolanda has her sights set on representing Syria in the mixed team event at the LA28 Olympic Games, representing Syria.
“I know it’s hard because there are so many expert archers – but at least we will try.”
Coming from a country where compound archery was once banned, Yolanda’s path to the line in Madrid is already extraordinary. Making it to LA28 would be a fairytale.
Unlikely, perhaps – but in this sport, never say never.
Beyond her long-term sporting goals, Yolanda is already focused on something bigger – changing how the world sees women from the Arab world.
“I also want to be an example for Syrian women,” she said. “Because what you see on television – it’s not reality. And I’m not just talking about Syria. It’s the same for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya.”
“If you don’t know people from those places, you imagine what the media shows you. But it’s not like that.”
There may be no better time or place to start changing perceptions. Madrid 2025 is the largest Hyundai Archery World Cup stage of the season, with 336 athletes competing across four disciplines. The compound women’s competition alone features 61 archers – guaranteeing Yolanda a spot in Thursday’s eliminations at Vallehermoso Stadium.
It’s only her second international event after Nimes 2024, where she finished 52nd – but proudly shot in front of her young daughter, who was so inspired she picked up a bow herself. They now train together at their club in Spain, where she’s affectionately known as “mini Yulie”.
Archery family trees often grow unexpectedly. Yolanda was introduced to the sport while helping sell her nephew’s bow at a local store – and soon caught the bug herself, now spreading its benefits to her own family.
“It’s a place where I enjoy practising my sport,” said Yolanda, who previously did athletics and once played for the Syrian national women’s basketball team. “I always enjoyed doing sports, even before I competed.”
“Wherever I go to do my sport, I try to enjoy it as much as possible, and I feel like it’s a challenge with myself.”
“When you look from the outside, it seems easy, but it’s so challenging. When you’re nervous, you can’t release all your power and tension. You have to stay in your form. My trainer told me that’s what archery is – more psychological than physical.”
Fluent in Spanish – tinged with a slight accent – and her family settled in Salamanca, a big part of Yolanda’s life is now in Spain, but her pride in representing Syria is unwavering.
After a three-month application process and nearly 1000 CHF in fees, she is now the first Syrian archer to don the green, white, black and red at a Hyundai Archery World Cup – a dream come true.
“This has always been a dream,” she said.
Yolanda was eliminated in the first round by Chinese Taipei’s Huang I-Jou 139-137 on Wednesday, but her presence carried far more weight for a country than result.
She has etched her name in Syrian archery history books.
