Capitalizing on the Olympic spirit, Iguassu has an exciting new development! The competition takes place at the Bela Vista Refuge (RBV) from August 5 to 9, bringing together competitors from 20 countries.

Amidst the Olympic atmosphere, the Bela Vista Biological Refuge (RBV) of Itaipu Binacional is hosting the World Field Archery Championship, a field archery competition for members of the International Field Archery Association (IFAA). The event, which began on Monday (5) and runs until Friday (9), gathers 298 competitors from twenty different nationalities around the Itaipu Canal.

“The main difference between Field Archery and Olympic Archery is that, as the name suggests, Field Archery takes place in a field setting. Here, we are constantly in contact with nature. While Olympic Archery involves shooting at a target always in the same direction, Field Archery features varying distances, ranging from 6 to 73 meters,” explains the event's general coordinator, Alexandre Borrego.

The championship is held every two years, with the 2022 edition taking place in Tallinn, Estonia. This year, the choice was between the United States and Brazil. In the end, delegates opted for Brazil's natural beauty and the tourist infrastructure of Foz do Iguaçu.

Family of Archers

Nearly 300 archers from 20 different countries are participating in the competition. The Field Brazil Association (AFB) states that, like the IFAA, it works to develop what they call the Archers' Family, with participants ranging from 8 to 80 years old in the same competition. And this is not just a figure of speech.

Among the various eight-year-olds present is Luiggi Nalepa Kudlavies, who fell in love with the sport during a demonstration at his school. Although he hasn't had much time to train, he already knows his strength. “My aim is better when the target is ten meters away,” he says.

On the other end of the age spectrum, American Pat Norris (83) is competing in Brazil for the first time. Norris has been practicing the sport for 72 years and makes his own bow. “Tested and approved,” he proudly states while pointing to his creation.

Throughout the week, three distinct rounds will be held. In terms of scoring, a hit in the center of the target earns the archer five points. The inner ring is worth four points, while the outer ring is worth three points. Each competitor has the opportunity to take four shots per target. It's important to note that there are no judges assigned to the groups, which are spread across 28 shooting stations on the forest trail of the RBV. “We work in camaraderie. One person watches over another. Since everyone in the group competes against each other, they check their own scores,” says Alexandre Borrego.

At the end of the five-day competition, scores will be tallied to determine the winners in their categories.

The event aims to foster unity among individuals and families, as well as to cultivate the sporting spirit of Archery. “We see ourselves as a large global family of archers. The motivation to participate in the competition is precisely the opportunity to travel and discover new corners of the world. I have acquaintances here that I've met in various places for over a decade,” highlights Borrego.


Photos: William Brisida/Itaipu Binacional