CASTELL’AZZARA – When passion calls, Paolo answers. Thus, also this 2024 Paolo Rossi, starting from his Castell’Azzara as national coach, left for the World Hunting Archery Championship. Organized in Moosburg, Austria, it will end on September 9th.
The technician is leading 57 archers from Fidasc (Italian Federation of hunting sports weapons disciplines), who have joined the national archery team.
At the competition, both men and women, they compete with the longbow, the recurve bow, the compound bow and the historical bow, in various categories.
In the last 3 years, Fidasc has brought back a decent medal list of gold, silver and bronze from the world championship.
Paolo Rossi: «We started with a few people, with an association, today we are 81 ASD with over 3500 members, it’s a dream come true»
For Paolo Rossi, shooting with a bow and following the Fidasc archers dressed in blue is a true joy and the fulfillment of a dream. «Let’s say that I don’t remember when I shot the first arrow, I think that this passion was born with me – says Paolo – as the years go by it grows with me. I started with a few people, forming an association and managing to be part of Fidasc, including hunting archery among its 11 disciplines.”
Then other associations with their same passion flourished. «Today we are 81 sports associations throughout Italy, with around 3500 members – says Paolo proudly – spreading this discipline to many people is the most beautiful dream for me».
Paolo has been a technician and national coordinator of hunting archery for 12 years. «My job as a coach is to select the Italian participants – he says – I have to choose among the people who during the year have achieved the best scores in the various competitions of the circuit, and thus build the national team to take to the various competitions at world level».
With him there is a staff made up of 6 people, and they manage the various championships: from aspects of the regulation to direct contact with the Federation recognized by CONI.
The woods of Castell’Azzara inspire the discipline
When asked whether or not Castell’Azzara has given added value to his passion, Paolo is certain. «I live in a fantastic place – he says clearly – surrounded 360 degrees by woods. Castell’Azzara helped me a lot in developing shooting courses and experimenting with the various regulations, transforming them from theoretical to practical, evaluating whether they could be developed or not.».
The forest is a fundamental element for the discipline as well as training, even if some think that for archery it is an absolutely marginal aspect. «Our types of races take place inside the woods – concludes Paolo – Each route covers an average of 3.5km of track, it is a sport that does not always require a lot of training and is for everyone but up to a certain level. Like all sports there are specific physical and mental training sessions aimed at the athlete. They remain a fundamental aspect for concentration and sporting performance».
