Mikko Juutilainen: Practise and self-belief make champions

Want to see inside the mind of an international archery athlete? We’ll be asking some of the world’s best for advice, expertise and an idea of their approach to the sport. 

This time, 27-year old Finnish compound archer Mikko Juutilainen answers our questions…

1. What makes the perfect archer?

Practise and self-belief make champions.

2. HOW DO YOU COPE WITH BAD TIMES?

I just try to stay positive always. But you should ask my wife how she copes when I have harder times…

3. YOUR ADVICE TO BEGINNER archers

There's so many people who want to help you… but you can't listen to everyone. I love archery and have some big goals that I want to achieve, and that's what keeps me going back to practise every day. 

4. HOW DO YOU GET REENERGISED?

I play NHL games on the PlayStation.

5. Who’s your favourite person to shoot with?

Alberto Blazquez from Spain, he is a great archer and great person. 

6. HOW DO YOU GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP?

I don't use my mobile phone 30 minutes before I go to sleep. And I try to sleep as much as I can. 

7. what’s your archery secret?

Two days before a competition I go for a run – normally for 40-50 minutes – keeping the running speed really high. 

World Archery’s International Archer Q&A series spotlights some of the sport’s best athletes. Got a question to ask? Contact us via @worldarchery on Twitter.