Steve Wijler calls Lockdown Knockout great motivator after competition hiatus

Steve Wijler is one of eight recurve archers competing in this month’s Lockdown Knockout remote archery tournament.

It’s the first time he’ll compete in an international event since last September when he came fifth at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Moscow​.

The format of this month’s competition is unusual but his desire to win remains.

“The Lockdown Knockout is a good motivator for me. I’ve been out for a while. But I am a fighter and I always want to win,” said Steve. “This time is no different.”

The 23-year-old has had an impressive last couple of years.

Ranked number six in the world entering this hiatus on international competition, he is the reigning European Champion from Legnica 2018 and was runner-up at the 2019 European Games in Minsk.

A lack of events in 2020 has stymied that successful run. For the time being, at least.

“It’s not really been difficult to train but the focus hasn’t always been there. Normally you can work towards a goal but there isn’t really a goal right now,” he said.

“My motivation was a bit less than normal. But in some ways, it’s also been nice to finally relax a bit instead of flying around the world every week.”

Wijler will step back onto the competition field this weekend for his Lockdown Knockout qualification, with matches following from 13 June.

This competition field isn’t far from home, though.

Weather dependent, he might well shoot his arrows in his back garden. Not quite the same as a European Championship finals arena – but exciting nonetheless.

Follow the Lockdown Knockout live across World Archery’s digital platforms.