Expectation high at World Games, says host’s Rzasa

Joanna Rzasa, 25, and Natalia Lesniak, 26, represent Poland’s interest in the recurve women’s field archery competition at the 2017 World Games, being held on home soil in Wroclaw.

While Natalia was chosen by the Polish federation on results, teammate Joanna won her spot by finishing third at the Dublin 2016 World Archery Field Championships.

“It’s nice being able to shoot at the World Games because it’s in Poland and we know there’s a good atmosphere for us as locals,” said Natalia. “This is my second big field competition, after the European Championships in 2015, which was also held in Poland.”

A runner-up at the last world indoors, Lesniak took a break following the last stage of the 2016 Hyundai Archery World Cup but has returned to the competition field in time to make her World Games debut.

“Not being able to shoot much field in that one year away, my expectations are mostly focused on shooting good and feeling happy more with the process than with the results. It’s a really nice place to shoot at and I want to enjoy it,” she said.

Like Natalia, Wroclaw marks Joanna’s World Games debut, too – but with a now-proven track record of medalling in the discipline, expectations are higher.

“I was third at the world field last year and I’m still excited about it. I want to shoot the best I can to make the podium again, especially because I’m on home soil,” said Joanna.

“This is a big event for field archers and you have the very best athletes in the discipline, so it will be a tough competition. Winning here is important as it can only happen every four years, just like at the Olympics.”

The recurve field archery competition at the Wroclaw 2017 World Games runs 23-25 July in Szczytnicki Park.