Yalenka Zeeders in action. Own photo The Summer World University Games are a kind of Olympic Games for students, held every two years. This time, the Games will take place in Germany. For Zeeders, a first-year bachelor’s student in Forest and Nature Management, it is the biggest competition she has participated in so far.
‘I’ve been archery for about five years now, three of which have been serious’, says Zeeders. ‘During the basic course, one of the trainers thought: she’s picking it up quickly! He made sure I could take part in a selection training and eventually I ended up in a regional talent centre for archery.’ There are four of these in the Netherlands.
‘I trained there for about two years, but now I’m technically in the senior group and have to arrange everything myself.’ She has found a trainer in Antwerp – ‘quite a long drive’ – and also trains at the Wageningen Archery Club, as well as ‘at home’ in Apeldoorn, sometimes in Arnhem and in her room. ‘I have a kind of system that allows you to practise without actually firing the arrow. So no arrows in the wall.’ Zeeders used to train six days a week. ‘Now I’m trying to find a new balance with student life and I train about three days a week. I also go to the gym or bouldering once in a while.’
Thousands of athletes
Competitions are part of the sport, but Zeeders has never experienced such a big competition as the upcoming FISU Summer World University Games. Twelve days of sport spread across six cities in Germany and more than 10,000 participating student athletes. ‘It’s a bit like the Olympics for students. Archery will be held in Essen, where there are other sports such as 3×3 basketball, fencing, judo, taekwondo and tennis. Other sports such as rowing and swimming will be held in other cities. It’s a bit of a shame that there isn’t a large sports village. But we’re going to the opening ceremony in Duisburg, and there are plenty of other sports to watch in Essen.’
WUR student Damian Tempelman will also be competing in archery at the Games. Zeeders: ‘He shoots with a different type of bow: the compound bow. It has all kinds of pulleys. I shoot with a recurve bow, which is the standard bow plus extra weights and a sight, as used in the Olympic Games.’ Videos have been made about the differences.
Teamwork
The Games will start in a few days. ‘I find it quite exciting, but it’s great to be part of it. I’m in a team with two girls. We’ll be shooting individually and as a team – if we qualify, that is. We’ve already trained together a few times, and we have a great coach. The atmosphere in the team is good and I expect it will only get better. We’re really looking forward to it!’
Translated with DeepL
