Six days of high‑level competition in Ruse brought together some of Europe’s most promising young archers, with medals, records and valuable international experience on offer across the Under 18 and Under 21 categories.
The first leg of the European Youth Cup 2026 concluded this week in Ruse, Bulgaria, following an intense six‑day programme that highlighted the talent, determination, and growing potential of the next generation of European archers.
The event welcomed young athletes from across Europe and guest nations, featuring individual, team and mixed team competitions in the Recurve, Compound and Barebow divisions for both Under 21 and Under 18 categories. Throughout the week, archers delivered a consistently high standard of performance, producing memorable matches and demonstrating impressive composure under pressure.
One of the standout moments came in the Compound Under 18 Women Team event, where Korea set a new Asian record with 229 points in the gold medal match, surpassing the previous record of 228.
Korea topped the overall medal table with 12 medals, including eight golds, while Germany also enjoyed a strong week across both individual and team competitions. Host nation Bulgaria celebrated success on home soil, securing gold medals in the Barebow Under 21 Men and Barebow Under 21 Mixed Team events.
Team competitions delivered some of the most exciting moments of the tournament, while individual events highlighted the increasing depth of talent within youth archery. Across all divisions, athletes showcased not only technical excellence but also the benefits of developing archery programmes across Europe.
The second leg of the European Youth Cup 2026 will continue later this season, offering another opportunity for young athletes to gain international experience and prepare for future continental and world‑level events.