1. Fatoumata Sylla
Guinea’s finest, Fatoumata Sylla is another alumni of Paris 2024, after receiving a universality place which made her the first ever archer from Guinea to compete at an Olympics. Uniquely, she got to carry the flag in both the opening and closing ceremonies, alongside swimmer Elhadj N’gnane Diallo and footballer Keita Naby respectively.
Sylla’s Paris run also ended in the first round, at the hands of Casey Kaufhold. But she had been building up tournament experience for some time, since her international debut in 2019. A fifth place individually in Nabeul seems likely to get improved on this time around.
“Given the support I receive in Africa, I know that whatever the problem, I can overcome it. With their support, their calls, their little messages, their kind words for me, I know I can go far.”
“I don’t think about where the arrow will land, but rather about the technique, because if the technique is correct, the result will be good on the target. You relax and then concentrate on what you’re doing,” she told the French press last year.
Still only 23, her story has time to run. Her dream is to encourage Guinean women to take up archery, but is this the tournament where she finally takes a medal? It seems very likely.
