Invincible Viktor’s quest for a 4th world title

Nineteen year-old Viktor Orosz is Hungary’s sole athlete at the 2017 World Archery Youth Championships in Rosario, Argentina – and a three-time world champion. Viktor won the cadet title in Yankton in 2015 and two junior indoor crowns, one in Nimes in 2014 and the other in Ankara in 2016.

His goal in Rosario? A fourth.

“Of course taking gold is my goal and we’ll see if it’s possible or not, but I’m confident,” said Viktor. “I want to win gold and my fourth world title in this competition, so I’m going to give it my all.”

Since started to compete internationally in 2014, Orosz has never lost a medal match (gold or bronze).

It’s an incredible statistic, but not one that’s come by luck.

“Winning three world titles is not about invincibility, I don’t feel invincible at all but I do feel prepared and with high chances to win. When I feel secure, I train hard, prepare well and go for it. Right now I feel like I’m capable of winning,” he said.

Now a junior rather than a cadet, it’s still the same faces, Viktor said, on the line.

“If I have to pick a difference from when I was a cadet to now that I’m junior, I think I’ll pick the level. That can mark a big difference in terms of scores,” he said.

“During the past two years I’ve changed a lot and many others might have as well. I got a new equipment and changed my technique. I started university, forcing myself to split the time between archery and my studies, and rushing myself from place to place to be able to do both.”

Though not training as much as he used to, Viktor feels prepared.

“I should finish in the top eight here,” he said.

While studying electrical engineering, Orosz is still funded by the Hungarian archery federation and government to compete.

“To keep it, I need to be a professional archer, get as many medals as I can, keep the level high and give results – which is pretty much what I came to do here,” he said.

While many of the athletes in Rosario will head home, others straight on to Mexico to compete in the senior worlds, Viktor has a more intense schedule. He’s heading back to Hungary for two days of university before boarding another plane back to this side of the world for the World Archery Championships.

“I feel nervous but we’ll see how it goes. So far in Rosario, jet lag hasn’t affected me much. So let’s hope it doesn’t affect me for Mexico either,” said Orosz.

The 2017 World Archery Youth Championships run 2 to 10 October in Rosario, Argentina.