Miniature from the Radziwill chronicle. Book «Узбраенне насельніцтва беларускіх зямель у XIV–XVI стагоддзях»
For a long time people have used bows, both for hunting and fighting. The archery was highly valued on the battlefield, cause they hit enemies from a distance. After the invention of firearms archery faded into insignificance, having changed into an accessible and popular form of recreation.
In the Middle Ages, archery tournament was often held. As a sport, archery began to form in Switzerland in the 15th century. At the end of the 18th century Sir Walter Scott revived interest in archery in England, offering it as an entertainment for nobles.
The first official archery competitions were held in 1900 Summer Olympics. The archers also competed at the 1904, 1908 and 1920Olympic Games, but the rules and regulations were constantly changing. This was the reason for the exclusion of archery from the Olympic program in 1924.
The World Archery Federation (Federation Internationale de Tir à l'Arc, FITA) was created in 1931. It united 140 national federations headed from headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland). Archery was finally approved as an Olympic sport since 1958, but until 1972 there were no competitions due to the lack of uniform international rules. FITA solved this problem then and it also develops and improves the now.
Archery associates with romance and medieval legends. It gives a lot for physical education and harmonious development, cause anyone can choose the right bow for themselves. It can be practiced all year round, not only individually, but also in groups and even with the family.
Belarusian archer Ekaterina Timofeeva. Magazine «Спортtime»
3D Archery International tournament in Grodno. http://www.archery.by
A new type of this sport, 3D archery, becomes more and more popular. The shooters fire at volume targets imitating life-size animals in a natural landscape. Tournaments provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy nature, popularize sports activity, form an eco-friendly approach to entertainment and recreation.
The history of the origin and development in the world
In the BSSR archery has been developing since the 1960s, primarily in Minsk and Brest. Archery clubs functioned in some large Belarusian enterprises, often with the support of DOSAAF (Volunteer Society of Assistance of Army, Aircraft and Fleet) and trade unions. Amateur athletes remade wastelands and unsuitable premises into shooting ranges.
In 1971, archery was included in the program of the Spartakiades of Peoples of the USSR, and in 1972, it was returned to the program of the Olympic Games. Coaches from Lviv (Ukraine) were invited to Belarus in order to train the archers. At that time Lviv Institute of Physical Education was the only educational institution of the USSR, which graduates could work as archery coaches.
In 1969, Mikhail Puzyak moved from Lvov to Brest for coaching at the invitation of the “Krasnoe znamya” sport community. Over the next few years, Konstantin Soroka, Vasily Khudoba, Oleg Dupliy, Oleg Dubinin, Alla Melnik and other athletes came to Minsk.
Konstantin Soroka is a legendary personality in the Belarusian sport: talented archer, the first master of sports of the BSSR. Vasily Khudoba is the USSR record holder, one of the best Soviet archers of that time. The Olympic medalist Boris Isachenko warmly recalls the influence of Vasily Khudoby on his sporting fate in his book “Serebryanye Strely” (Silver Arrows).
A native of Brest, Boris Isachenko, began training in 1972. His permanent coach was Mikhail Puzyak. At the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Boris Isachenko won a silver medal. This is the best achievement of the Belarusian archery, which is not still surpassed.
Mikhail Puzyak and Boris Isachenko. Calendar «Белорусская федерация стрельбы из лука: 2017»
Elena Marfel. Calendar «Белорусская федерация стрельбы из лука: 2017»
The Mogilev school of archery with coaches Vladimir Korobitsin and Boris Lyubimov is well known to archery amateurs.
A specialized shooting range is a pride of Mogilev archers. In the 1970s With the help of athletes and coaches, a bullet shooting range in Mogilev was converted into a stadium for archery.
Elena Marfel from Mogilev is the world champion in archery, the absolute champion of Europe, she set two world records. Her achievements are listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
In 1972, Gregory Tkach became the coach of archers in Mazyr, Gomel Region. In 1973, the archery section was opened at the Mazyr city branch of the Dynamo sports society under the coaching of Sergey Kovalevsky.
Archery has been developing in Minsk since the 1960s with the support of DOSAAF and the Dynamo sports society.
Igor Kogai, Olga Zabugina, Vladimir Oparin, Olga Yakusheva and other athletes successfully performed under the guidance of coaches Oleg Dupliya, Oleg Dubinin, Alla Melnik.
Archery in the BSSR
In 1992, a national archery team was formed. The Belarusian Archery Federation has become a member of FITA.
The Belarusian archery school carefully keeps the traditions alive and successfully develops.
Since 1980, an archery tournament for prizes by Klimuk P.I., USSR pilot-cosmonaut, born in the Brest region, has been held in Brest. Over time, the competition became international. Belarusian athletes participating in it have the opportunity to gain rating points to get into the national team.
Competitions are held at the specialized shooting range "Lukodrom" in the specialized Youth Sports School of the Olympic Reserve in Brest. Trainers are Mikhail Puzyak, Maria Puzyak, Marina Skorobogatova. Boris Isachenko is also engaged in coaching. Maxim Kunda, Paralympic champion Tatyana Grishko and other athletes are graduates of this school.
In Mogilev there are Children and Youth Sports School of Olympic Reserve No. 1 and Mogilev Children and Youth Sports School of Olympic Reserve of the trade unions "Junost", Mogilev Regional School of Higher Sports Skills.
In 1989, an archery department was opened at the Mogilev Olympic Reserve School. Coaches are Boris Lyubimov and Nina Lyubimova.
At the Mogilev specialized shooting range for archery of the School of the trade unions “Junost” is the main training ground for Belarusian archers.
Such famous athletes as Vladimir Dolgonosov, Alexander Lyagushev, Anton Korovkin, Anna Marusova, Nikolay Marusov, Karina Deminskaya and bronze medalist of the 2015 European Games Anton Prilepov studied in Mogilev.
The archery department is open at the Bobruisk State Specialized School of Olympic Reserve. The club’s permanent coach is Sergey Kovalevsky, Honored coach of the Republic of Belarus. He coached Elena Kuznetsova.
Alla Melnik continues to train athletes in Minsk and Igor Shuleyko successfully coaches in Grodno.
The women's team of the Republic of Belarus produces excellent results. It consists Ekaterina Timofeeva, Anna Marusova, Elena Tolkach. They won the silver medal at the 2013 World Championships and the silver medal at the 2015 European Games.
Elena Tolkach, Anna Marusova, Ekaterina Timofeeva. http://www.archery.by
International 3D Archery Tournament “Spring Hunting”, 2017. http://noc.by
Since 2015 International Archery 3D Championships have been held in Belarus. Oleg Lavrentiev, head of the Minsk Archery Club, , is one of the organizers. A visa-free entry to Belarus is organized for participants of tournaments – athletes from around the world. Tournaments are held near Grodno, on a territory with a hilly landscape. The animal targets in a natural size representing almost all the Belarusian fauna are set on the track. Professionals and amateurs have the opportunity not only to make a precise shot, but also to enjoy the Belarusian nature and visit Grodno.
The “Belarusian Archery Federation” public association was founded in 1992. It has registered official symbols - emblem, flag and badges.
The official website of the Belarusian Archery Federation: http://www.archery.by/
Belarusian archers successfully performed at the 2015 European Games held in 2015 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The women's archery team of Belarus consisting of Anna Marusova, Ekaterina Timofeeva and Elena Tolkach won the silver medal in team competitions, and Anton Prilepov won the bronze medal in the individual tournament.
The women's archery team of Belarus http://www.archery.by
Anton Prilepov http://www.archery.by
Silver medals:
Anna Marusova
Born on January 8, 1978
World Class Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus
Participant of the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics, World Championship silver medalist in team competitions, European championship medalist in team competitions.
Ekaterina Timofeeva
Born on November 13, 1976 in Mazyr, Gomel Region.
World Class Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus
Participant of the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, World Championship silver medalist in team competitions, prize-winner of the European Championship in team competitions, prize-winner of the MilitaryWorld Games in team competitions.
Elena Tolkach
Born on February 3, 1989 in Grodno.
World Class Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus
World Championship silver medalist in team competitions, medalist of European championships.
Bronze medal:
Anton Prilepov
Born on February 5, 1984 in Mogilev.
World Class Master of Sports of the Republic of Belarus
Participant of the 2004 and 2016 Summer Olympics, world champion among juniors, winner of the European Championships.
