World Games Archers are registered!

World Games Archers are registered! Lausanne – 23 June 2009 Chengcing Lake    Once more, the World Games will be held in Asia after the success of Akita in 2001. The Kaoshiung Organising Committee has done its best to prepare for these Games with the assistance of the technical delegate, Mr Jim LARVEN. They hired one of the best course designers, Mr Gerald FARRELL, to work out a challenging, unique field course. From 24-26 July 2009, some of the World Games archery champions will be there to defend their title in Chinese Taipei. It is clear that the National Archery Association will add an Asian touch, and the Chengcing Lake area is very nice and will give a great backdrop for the finals as well.   What is the importance for the World Games for Field Archery? Basically, it is the most important competition for this discipline, since only the best compete. Archers have to qualify at the world championships, like the Olympic Games qualifications. The number of places is limited and the competition is more intense since only the top four advance after the two-day qualification round. 

The favourites in the recurve men's category include Michele FRANGILLI (ITA), who was the runner-up in 2001. His main competitors will be: Alan WILLS (GBR), who was the runner-up in 2005 and is very motivated to add another medal to his rich collection, Victor WUNDERLE (USA) and Sebastian ROHRBERG (GER). 

The recurve women's title holder Petra ERICSSON (SWE) will be in Kaohsiung, but as the coach of her husband, Mats-Inge SMORDAL (NOR), who is competing in compound men. By the way, ERICSSON won the World Games both as a compound and as a recurve archer, which is quite unique. Therefore, the recurve women's competition will be between Carole FERRIOU (FRA), who was the winner in 2001, and Jessica TOMASI (ITA). Since half of the participants have won at least one title in Field Archery over the last 10 years, the competition will be quite tough. 

In compound men, we should mention that Morgan LUNDIN (SWE) has always been an amazing competitor at the World Games. He has won three titles, meaning every World Games in which he participated. However, he will not be in Kaohsiung. Therefore, the race to be his successor is wide open—the favourites are Chris WHITE (GBR) and Rod MENZER (USA), both world champions. 

The compound women’s competition will also be wide open. The bronze medallist from Duisburg 2005, Austrian Petra GOEBEL (FRIEDL), will have to pay close attention to the two very strong German competitors Silke HOTTECKE and Ulrike WIESE, as well as to the World Cup co-leader Ivana BUDEN (CRO). 

The barebow men's competition has, as the clear favourite, Erik JONSSON (SWE), who is a World Games double gold medallist. His main competitors will come from Italy—Sergio Massimo CASSIANI and Giuseppe SEIMANDI. 

For the barebow women, Monika JENTGES (GER), the defending champion, is going to face strong opposition from France’s Christine GAUTHE and two Italians—Luciana PENNACCHI and Eleonora STROBBE. Also, watch out for the current world champion Rebecca (Becky) NELSON-HARRIS (USA), who will be competing at her first World Games. 

In total, there will be 95 athletes from 20 countries and 4 continents competing. Several new faces will vie for the titles, and therefore, my predictions of the favourites above should be taken with caution—they may turn out to be completely false.   Ø Complete List of Participants Ø Official Website: www.worldgames2009.tw   The World Games for 2013 might be held in Colombia, and there might also be changes to the type of competition that will be held. To be continued…   Tom DIELEN FITA Secretary General