Justyna MOSPINEK returns to archery tournament field in Armenia

At the 2014 European Archery Championships in Echmiadzin, Armenia, Justyna MOSPINEK qualified in sixteenth before narrowly losing a second-round match to Slovenia’s Najka TOMAT.

She last competed at the African open two years ago. Soon after that, Justyna became a mother.

“The change was huge, but also the greatest thing I’ve experienced in life,” she explains. “Bringing up a child has made me a better athlete.”

MOSPINEK had been one of the most successful international archers in the years prior to her hiatus. In the three years after the Ulsan 2009 worlds, Justyna only finished out of the top 10 at world and continental competitions twice and competed at two World Cup Finals.

At the end of 2011 she came second at the London Archery Classic, which was the test event for the Olympics. Despite appearing to be rounding into the best form of her career, Justyna didn’t compete at London 2012 as her child was born.

She wasn’t too disappointed to miss those Games – which would have been her third – though: “a high score at the test doesn’t guarantee an Olympic medal.”

That’s not to say MOSPINEK isn’t driven to pick up that medal. She finished seventh at Athens and was upset in the first round of Beijing. 

“I’m working hard to prepare,” she confirms… but for what? “For Rio.”

Justyna resumed training “systematically” back in April 2013 – so while absent from international competition, she has concentrated on refining her technique.

Next year, MOSPINEK plans to be back on the Archery World Cup circuit. At the conclusion of this season, it will be six years since she won the tour by beating 1440-round world record holder and Korean archery legend PARK Sung-Hyun in the World Cup Final.

That match was held in Lausanne. In just one month’s time, the Olympic Capital will become the first city to hold the event for a second time.

Watching from home, the event will conjure good memories for Justyna: “although I am a little bit sad that I won’t be there this time.”

If Justyna MOSPINEK can reclaim the form she regularly displayed in the years before she became a mother, it won’t be long before she’s back contesting World Cup Finals again.

 

People
Competitions