The first major archery event of the year in Rzeszow!

    These indoor world championships conclude a winter season that already saw some important tournaments in Nimes (FRA), Las Vegas (USA) and Amsterdam (NED), among others. There were enough chances for the countries to select their top archers or to see some new forces in the game. The participants list in Rzeszow shows a rare combination of experienced athletes and young talents—including juniors who will also have their world championships in Rzeszow.   Recurve Men In Recurve Men, a truly new generation is coming up. Brady ELLISON (USA) photo, winner in Las Vegas, Jean-Charles VALLADONT (FRA), winner in Nimes, Mauro NESPOLI (ITA), team silver medallist in Beijing are among the favourites. So are the Poles Rafal DOBROWOLSKI and Jacek PROC, as well as the Mexicans Juan Rene SERRANO and Eduard VELEZ SANCHEZ. They will take on very experienced archer such as Vic WUNDERLE (USA). The three times Olympian American is looking for world consecration after his silver medal won at the Indoor World Championships 2005 in Aalborg (DEN) and a breath-taking team bronze in the 2007 edition in Izmir (TUR), where he shot a decisive 10 in the third shoot-off. Other experienced archers include Al WILLS and Simon TERRY (GBR). Experts also noticed the come-back of Michelle FRANGILLI (ITA). Will he add a new world title to his long collection?   In the junior class, the favourites will be the youth world champion 2008 Luca MELOTTO (ITA) as well as Ivan DENIS (BEL).   Recurve Women Four times indoor individual world champion Natalia VALEEVA (ITA) is still on top of her game! She leads a ferocious Italian team—the same as in Beijing—including the young Elena TONETTA and Pia Carmen LIONETTI. The Polish team should be their strongest opponent with 2008 World Cup winner Justyna MOSPINEK photo, as well as Natalia LESNIAK and Malgorzata CWIENCZEK. They will challenge the 2007 indoor world champion Nami HAYAKAWA (JPN) and the 2003 indoor world champion Berengere SCHUH (FRA). Other contenders include Natalya ERDYNIYEVA (RUS), Viktoriya KOVAL (UKR), Charlotte BURGESS (GBR), Elena RICHTER and Karina WINTER (GER). But maybe, surprise will come from the youngest archery participant at the last Olympic Games, Mariana AVITIA (MEX).   Tatiana SEGINA (RUS) and Lidia SICHENIKOVA (UKR) will be the ones to watch in the youth competition.   Compound Men The 2007 indoor world champion Braden GELLENTHIEN (USA) faces a real challenge if he wishes to confirm his title. His major challenger is certainly Dietmar TRILLUS (CAN), 2007 outdoor world champion and 2008 World Cup winner. The fans also noticed that the veteran Morgan LUNDIN (SWE)—who won numerous gold medals—is back in shape with a 2nd place in Las Vegas. Other contenders include 2008 World Cup silver and bronze medallists Patrizio HOFER (SUI) and Patrick COGHLAN (AUS). The entire French team is also a threat: Dominique GENET, Sebastien BRASSEUR and Pierre Julien DELOCHE, who won the indoor tournament in Nimes. The 2007 European indoor champion Sergio PAGNI (ITA), as well as Peter ELZINGA (NED) photo, Morten BOE (NOR), Dejan SITAR (SLO) and Chance BEAUBOUEF (USA) are among other contenders. Last but not least, will the young Martin DAMSBO (DEN) jumpstarts a year that could see him compete at the World Cup Final in his country’s capital Copenhagen?   The youth outdoor world champion 2008 Mads Juul KROGSHEDE (DEN) and Kevin MARBACHER (SUI) are among the favourites for the youth titles.   Compound Women Two times world champion in 2007 (indoor and outdoor), Eugenia SALVI (ITA) photo is ready to defend her titles. She is up against some very well-known faces from the last three years. We can first name the Russian trio Sofia GONCHAROVA, Anna KAZANTSEVA and Albina LOGINOVA. Among other contenders, the fans would see Gladys WILLEMS (BEL), Ivana BUDEN (CRO), Camilla SOEMOD (DEN), Anne LAURILLA (FIN), Nicky HUNT (GBR), Maya MARCEN (SLO) and Melike ATICI (TUR). Let’s finish with the American team featuring a young but promising talent, Erika ANSCHUTZ, as well as a true star in archery, Mary HAMM (born ZORN). HAMM was the first woman in history to break the 1400 points barer for the FITA Round. After giving birth, is she returning at the top level for even more glory?   Gold and silver medallists at the Youth World Championships 2008, Kendal NICELY and Samantha PRUITTE (USA) are looking for more medals in the junior class.   Answers are to be given as of Thursday 5 March in Rzeszow (POL) and on www.archery.org!   Didier MIEVILLE FITA Communication