Beyond her long-term sporting goals, Yolanda is already focused on something bigger – changing how the world sees women from the Arab world.
“I also want to be an example for Syrian women,” she said. “Because what you see on television – it’s not reality. And I’m not just talking about Syria. It’s the same for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya.”
“If you don’t know people from those places, you imagine what the media shows you. But it’s not like that.”
There may be no better time or place to start changing perceptions. Madrid 2025 is the largest Hyundai Archery World Cup stage of the season, with 336 athletes competing across four disciplines. The compound women’s competition alone features 61 archers – guaranteeing Yolanda a spot in Thursday’s eliminations at Vallehermoso Stadium.
It’s only her second international event after Nimes 2024, where she finished 52nd – but proudly shot in front of her young daughter, who was so inspired she picked up a bow herself. They now train together at their club in Spain, where she’s affectionately known as “mini Yulie”.
Archery family trees often grow unexpectedly. Yolanda was introduced to the sport while helping sell her nephew’s bow at a local store – and soon caught the bug herself, now spreading its benefits to her own family.
“It’s a place where I enjoy practising my sport,” said Yolanda, who previously did athletics and once played for the Syrian national women’s basketball team. “I always enjoyed doing sports, even before I competed.”
