Taking it forward: Host nation Canada clear about the goals at Winnipeg 2025

“To have the world here just means a lot, because countries get to see what our culture is like and what we do when we’re in Canada. And we hope to spread their welcome.”

So said an on-message Riley Warwa of the host nation, competing in the compound under-18 men’s category here in Winnipeg at the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships.

Of course, hosting a major sporting event always has a few different motives for the host city and the national tourism committee. Welcoming athletes from all over the world serves goals beyond just sporting ones. But there’s no doubt that Canada prides itself on big welcomes.

The host nation has nearly 30 archers and staff to challenge at the youth championships, and still harbours big ambitions amid much attention. Canada has never won an Olympic medal in archery, despite a presence at most Games in the modern era.

Crispin Duenas, who competed in four Olympics for Canada and won gold at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, is still shooting but stepping back from frontline international duties, with Eric Peters becoming the number one senior man and making a huge mark with silver at the Berlin 2023 Hyundai World Archery Championships. There are also professional compound archers such as Christopher Perkins, the Turin 2011 World Champion and a past Vegas winner.

But this tournament is of course all about youth – and confidence. Warwa is the most experienced international hand, relatively speaking.

“I was in Ireland two years ago and I didn’t do too bad,” said Warwa. “Then I was in El Salvador for the Pan Am Games there and I got bronze for mixed team . I did really well. And now we’re in Winnipeg and competing and it’s going to be great.”

“Everything’s just settling in now and the arrows are flying great,” he added.

Coach Stephanie Barrett was clear about the benefits of competing.

“I’d like the experience as a whole, which includes the friendships, the competition, the camaraderie – both internationally and with their teammates – relationships with the staff, the volunteers and just really remembering what they’ve learned and what they put in to get here and taking that forward into the next set of their career.”

With the competition acting as a launch pad for a lot of archers who go on to the next level and are really dominant in their senior years, the staff members and their role becomes crucial.

“For a lot of them, they have never been in a team situation with this many teammates,” explained team manager Janice Clark. “So it’s getting them to interact and understand that we are not solo here, we are here as a team and we are here to support each other and just to give the best experience to everyone.”

“I’d hope, maybe down the road, if that door opens for me, that’d be awesome, just to compete at that high level in the world and to see those amazing archers,” added Warwa. “My goal here is definitely to have fun and also inspire people to come here.”

Janna Hawash got to represent Canada in a more direct way at this event – as part of the opening ceremony.

“I was saying the athlete oath, our promise to keep it true and authentic on the field,” said the 18-year-old recurve archer. “It’s great to have all these athletes here and experiencing Canada and everything it has to offer. Usually we don’t have this many people in one spot!”

“I would like to place within the top eight after matchplay,” she added. “It would be amazing to add to the medal count, but if it doesn't happen, then I'm just glad I was able to represent.”

“I also hope people take away a bit of the Aboriginal history, to be able to see that Canada has a deep history, and there’s a lot behind it.”

Thanks to Vanessa Lee for reporting.