Bow International is the world's only specialist target archery print magazine, and within each issue you'll find news and reviews, new gear, technique, advice and tips; plus exclusive interviews from the world's greatest archers.
You wait years for another champion compounder, and then two come along at once. Isabelle ‘Izzy’ Carpenter, aged just 23, took the individual title at the European Championships in Munich in June, beating veteran Sophie Dodemont of France. Ella Gibson, who we are interviewing on page 17, took the team title along with Izzy and Jess Stretton. Izzy is also an archery writer for Bow, Archery GB and others, so we’re especially proud of her victory over here. You can read our report on the Euros on page 25. Elsewhere in this issue, we’ve got some brand-new kit appearing, and a special roundup feature on the finest tips for travelling on an aircraft with your bow, informed by horror stories from archers all over the world. Kristina Dolgilevica continued her…
ASIAN GAMES POSTPONED The upcoming Asian Games, due to take place in Hangzhou, China, in September 2023, have been postponed due to ongoing Covid issues in the country. They are now expected to be held in mid to late 2023. Similarly, the World University Games, due to be held in Chengdu, China, have also been delayed until next year. The event had already been postponed once and will now fill the 2023 slot, replacing Yekaterinburg, which recently had its event removed. Archery is a major part of the programme of both multisport events. The Asian Games are second only to the Olympics in size and status and host almost the same number of athletes. For the first time, the event is scheduled to include a full 10-medal archery programme –…
Archery GB’s (AGB) Performance team has confirmed the coaching line-up for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games cycle. Five-time Olympian Naomi Folkard will be joined by 2010 Commonwealth champion Nicky Hunt, (above) along with Stuart Taylor. “We were clear through the recruitment process that we wanted to bring in coaches who were able to bring new ideas, perspectives and experiences, as well as a willingness to evolve their coaching practice,” said AGB performance director Tom Duggan. “We are looking forward to seeing the impact that Stuart, Naomi and Nicky will bring to the Performance Archery coaching team, alongside [para coaches] Andrea and Charlotte.” The senior Olympic coach for Tokyo 2020, Richard Priestman, has now taken on a position coaching the Israel national team.…
British world number six Ella Gibson has broken her own European record for the 15-arrow 50m match on home soil, after shooting a perfect 150 points with 10 Xs at a world record status shoot in Meriden on 3 June. She previously held the same record with nine Xs. The current world record, held by the USA’s Linda Ochoa-Anderson, is 150 with 11 Xs. “It felt amazing to go into my last end knowing I needed 3 Xs to break it and being able to deliver that,” said Gibson. “I definitely think I can beat [the world record], given time, one X at a time and one record at a time,” she added. “I don’t know when, but I think I’ll have it.” Gibson has already qualified for this year’s…
Archery GB has secured £100,000 as part of Sport England’s overall package of investment to make the Commonwealth Games a success and create a lasting national impact. Successful projects had to demonstrate that they were creating innovative and accessible opportunities to engage with disadvantaged communities, enabling people from all backgrounds to take part in sports and activities. This National Lottery-funded initiative is specifically aimed at reaching communities in Birmingham, the West Midlands and other community areas that have been identified as needing the most support, particularly as a lasting legacy to this year’s Commonwealth Games. Archery GB will be using this additional funding to increase participation in archery across ethnically diverse communities by expanding Project Rimaya and reinforcing the appeal of archery to many communities across the West Midlands area…
A Shropshire archery club is set to welcome some new members after hosting two Help for Heroes veterans for a beginners’ course as part of the charity’s sports recovery programme. The two veterans – Stephen Wall, 54, from Wrentnall, Shrewsbury, and Jean MacDonald, 65, from Craven Arms, Shropshire – enjoyed the six-week course so much they are poised to continue their embryonic archery careers by joining the Long Mynd Archers club in Church Stretton. “This is the first course I’ve attended with Help for Heroes,” explained MacDonald. “Due to my PTSD, I’ve had a lot of mental health problems over the years; I’ve lost a lot of confidence and been very isolated with depression and anxiety.” Wall added: “I love the sense of discipline [archery] instils. I haven’t been in…
