Hugo Franco

Havana, June 12 (JIT).- Cuban archer Hugo Franco will aim for the last targets in the coming days on his way to the archery tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The opportunity to get an individual place will be in the Turkish city of Antalya, which will host the closing of the qualifying process from the 14th to the 17th of the current month, prior to the dispute in the same setting of the third phase of the world cup circuit.

Initially, the availability of two spots was announced, but that figure could vary after the distribution of team tickets is completed. In any case, the way to avoid the weight of other variables is to advance to the final of the series of matches.

«I am calm and aware of what I can do. "We are going to give everything and make sure the result is the best possible," the captain of the men's national recurve bow team assured JIT, shortly before embarking on the trip to the competition headquarters.

«The commitment is immense and it is not a dream of now. This is something I have wanted for several years and I hope this is the time to participate in the Olympic Games," confesses Hugo, who recognizes himself as a more mature archer to face the demanding challenges and better prepared from a psychological point of view. .

The man from Pinar del Río finished in fourth position in the recent Pan American Championship, organized in Medellín, Colombia. And although there he could not get a ticket for the upcoming event under the five rings, he proved that he has the talent to achieve it.

"In Colombia I was well prepared physically, but the psychological issue was not ideal, I had many expectations and personal commitments, I wanted to dedicate that result to someone special and I think that was something that harmed me," he admits now, having overcome the complex family problems which he then faced.

Regarding the technical details of the preparation, Hugo confirmed that the work remained focused on the coordination of the shots, increasing the volume of arrows, because that contributes to the stability of the scores.

«Above all we have worked on the aspect of anxiety. I have achieved good rolls in the controls we have done. The confidence is there, I have the physical shape and I have a lot of support. "I am going to have new arrows and I have received attention so that I can focus on the objective," he commented.

His coach Reiter Téllez agreed to highlight that in getting into shape during the past four weeks after the continental competition in Colombia, elements that give him greater confidence in times of tension have been prioritized.

«We were adjusting issues such as the placement of the rope and the entry of the hand to the chin, and that worked out very well for us. The preparation was based on the same objectives that we had been working on, his individual plan did not change, because it has given us good results," explained Reiter.

«We know that it is a very strong event and all the archers who do not yet have a place will be there. He arrives at the main commitments in his optimal form, that helps him a lot and this time it will not be different," confirmed the experienced Las Tunas coach.

Between this Tuesday and Wednesday Hugo will adapt to the Antalya shooting range, a setting in which he has never shot. The inspection of the equipment and the official practice are scheduled for Thursday.

The Saturday day was reserved for the double round at 70 meters with which the matches will be organized, and the “key” day will be Monday the 17th, when the owners of the individual quotas will be defined.