Each title special, says 4-time world champion Jonsson

Erik Jonsson took his latest world champion title by beating Spain’s David Garcia in the barebow men’s gold medal match at the Dublin 2016 World Archery Field Championships.

It brought his total to four – after previously taking golds in 1998, 2004 and 2014 – the second person to reach that mark at the championships after Swedish compatriot Anders Rosenberg, who won in ’78, ’80, ’82 and 1992.

“Every title has a special meaning,” he said. “I remember the first one, of course, but also the third gold in Zagreb.”

“It was special because I came back after six horrendous years with an enormous struggle with target panic, so I put myself together and won the gold. That might be one of my most emotional victories.”

“This new one gives me the motivation to continue and reminds me that my practise is successful.”

Erik, whose family had an archery background, started shooting in 1989 after picking up his brother Per Jonsson’s bow, who had stopped a couple of years earlier. After trying both recurve and compound, it was the barebow discipline that resonated.

“You shoot nice shots with the barebow and you get a great feeling. If you miss, you just keep going on with your shooting and enjoyment,” he said.

“Compared to other bows, there’s not a real difference in the mental game. But, if you consider your mental health, it’s maybe a bit more relaxing to shoot recurve or compound than the barebow."

"It’s more challenging, you have think a lot more because there’s no sight, no help. It’s just you, the bow and your mind.”

Erik cited the reasons for his long-term success in the style as effort and stubbornness.

The next World Archery Field Championships will be held in Italy in 2018, but it’s the event in Yankton, USA, in 2020, that has Erik’s attention.

“I’ve had an interest in Native Americans since I was little,” he explained. The word ‘Yankton’ is derived from the Sioux words for ‘the end village’ due to its location on the Missouri river.