Irene Franchini is professional archer, belongs to the sports group of blue flames of the penitentiary police since 2004. A passion, that for archery, started as a child, thanks also to her father, a physical education teacher. Originally from Busana, where she grew up, where her family of origin lives and where she returns as often as she can, she now lives in Faenza and divides her time between her family and her commitments as an archer. I recently finished ic3D world championships, in Slovenia, where he won three titles.
The interview
Irene, when did you discover your passion for this sport?
I started in 1990 thanks to my father who was a physical education teacher; among the various activities he proposed his students try there was also archery and he made me try it too. Well, from there I must say that my journey towards this little-known sport began. My father was my coach for a long time and still today he is certainly a reference figure for me. Since 2004 I have been a professional archer belonging to the sports group of the blue flames of the penitentiary police, since 2004 and thanks to the support of this group I have been able to turn my passion into my job. I have been an international athlete for several years now.
How do you reconcile all this with family?
For this I have to thank my parents; They help me a lot especially when I’m away.
She lives in Faenza…
Yes, but I am still always linked to the Apennines. I can say that my heart is there, my family lives there and I go back as soon as I can.
When he’s not with a bow and arrow, what does he do?
I dedicate myself to my family, especially to my children: I try to do what all mothers do. However, this sport never has a stop period: from indoor to the entire outdoor season there are never stop months: for example, we finished last week with the outdoor season and on November 1st there will be already an indoor world cup stage.
In recent years he has won many titles…
There are numerous Italian titles. Some European titles in various specialties, both individual and team; in the individual competitions I won three world championships, one indoor, country shooting (a specialty in the woods), the last three last week. I won some medals at the team world championships. One of my characteristics is that I have space in all the specialties that take place in Italy with archery within the Fitarco.
What will be the next commitment?
In the short term there will be the first stage of the indoor world cup in Lausanne in Switzerland and the following week, another international indoor tournament in Holland.
