Madrid hosted the Spanish archery championship on July 28, 29, 30 and 31. A competition that began with multiple complaints and claims due to the times and dates that forced attendees to travel, in some cases, from Wednesday and to compete for up to 4 days in a row during the hottest hours of the day.
The measure, which was intended to unify all the modalities in a single competition, has not convinced archers, especially non-professionals, who have had to alter their schedules and jobs to be able to attend and who expect other alternatives for a future that is already post- covid, in which the influx is again greater.
Hats, umbrellas and coolers have been the general note in 4 days where, more than anything, they wanted to survive.
The Arco Cuenca club has had two representatives who, on this occasion, represented, in addition to their club, Castilla-La Mancha as members of the community team.
Beatriz Lorente as part of the traditional mixed team together with José Claudio Ruíz (Archery Future) and Mario I. Benita as part of the Olympic arch team together with José Luis Sánchez (Club Águila Imperial) and José María García (Arqueros de Montealegre).
In the individual/qualifying competition, Beatriz would have a rough start. The sun and the temperature would take their toll on most of the competitors, however, Beatriz would manage to overcome and finish in fourth position, guaranteeing her pass to the elimination phase, although she could not get past the quarterfinals where she would fall against the Asturian Natalia Díaz.
For his part, Mario would have the opportunity to measure himself against some of the most notorious names in the world of archery at European and world level, including Miguel Albariño (Galicia), recently arrived from proclaiming himself European champion. The high level, a reflection of the good moment that archery is experiencing in Spain, prevented the Cuencan from qualifying for the elimination phase, although his teammate José Luis Sánchez did, however, who would later fall in the first round against another head of poster, Ken Sánchez (Madrid).
In the team competitions, representing the community, the Olympians fell against a very tough Castilla y León that gave them no respite in their first round. The traditional team managed to climb to the semifinals where they were eliminated by the Andalusian team, staying off the podium.
In any case, Castilla-La Mancha did not return empty-handed. The women’s compound bow team, formed by Lucía Alejo (Club Águila Imperial), Ana Rodríguez (Club Alcazarco) and Arantxa Serrano (Club las Lomas), managed to overcome their rivals reaching the final and winning a more than deserved silver against the Madrid team.
The mixed nude team, made up of Higinio Mora (Yepes Archery Club) and Begoña Penis (Arqueros de Seseña) also climbed to the podium after losing in the final against the Murcian team and taking silver. In addition, Begoña won the Gold in her individual category.
The goalkeepers from La Mancha thus end the season with the pride of representing the community and the reunion with old colleagues. Without a doubt, a great experience that, despite the weather conditions, both have enjoyed and will surely repeat in the future.
