Yamrom fulfills its potential with a late-season victory at the European Championships.
Yamrom began his international journey for Israel as an under-18 athlete in 2019, and in 2022, he advanced to the under-21 category while also making appearances with the senior squad.
Despite his relatively limited experience, he consistently made deep runs in competitions, often reaching the last 16 and earning the top seed at the world youth championships. Despite coming close on numerous occasions with several second-place finishes at major youth tournaments, something seemed to be holding him back.
However, with his recent victory at the European championships, it's clear that Yamrom has overcome whatever obstacles stood in his way and is now poised to fulfill his immense potential in the sport of archery.
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“I tend to overthink things and sometimes I get a little bit hung up on a bad result or a bad shot,” Shamai Yamrom admitted. “It is something I have been struggling with for a while.”
Despite these challenges, Yamrom entered the 2024 Indoor Archery World Series circuit with high hopes, fueled by his achievement of securing Israel's first-ever world championship medal – the under-21 compound mixed team silver at the World Archery Youth Championships the previous July.
However, his 18-meter season appeared to hit a rough patch. Beginning with a sixth-place finish at the Lausanne Challenge, he subsequently dropped to 17th at the GT Open and plummeted to 35th in Nîmes, failing to make the matchplay cut. Further setbacks in Vegas dashed his hopes of qualifying for the Indoor Archery World Series Finals.
Despite his initial strategy of attending more tournaments to increase his chances of success, the packed schedule seemed to have the opposite effect.
However, his fortunes turned around dramatically at Varaždin. Qualifying in fourth place with 596 points, just three points behind reigning Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion Mathias Fullerton, Yamrom displayed remarkable consistency in the matches, scoring 149, 149, and finally 150 points. This impressive performance included a semifinal victory over Martin Damsbo.
In the final, Yamrom secured a hard-fought two-point win over Adrien Gontier with a score of 148-146, clinching his breakthrough result and marking a significant milestone in his career.
In compound archery, particularly at distances like 18 meters, success often hinges on minute adjustments and precise execution. A single point gained or lost at the right or wrong moment can have a profound impact on the outcome of a match.
For Shamai Yamrom, navigating these subtle fluctuations can be one of the most challenging aspects of the sport. "I have a bad tendency of changing things when I'm not shooting at the level I want to," he acknowledged.
This inclination to tinker with his technique prematurely has had consequences in the past. At last year's European Games, despite a strong start in qualifications, Yamrom found himself dissatisfied and began experimenting with his form during the competition. As a result, he exited in the quarterfinals, losing to Lukasz Przybylski, who would later achieve unexpected success as a world silver medalist in Berlin.
However, Yamrom is committed to adopting a more level-headed approach, recognizing the importance of maintaining consistency and composure under pressure. By learning to resist the urge to make impulsive changes, he aims to solidify his position among the sport's rising stars.
"In a way, I feel pressure to achieve the same level of success as my peers did at my age, or the same level of success they are achieving now," Shamai explained, referring to athletes like Mathias Fullerton and Tim Jevsnik. "I think it's amazing to see how the standard of competition is continually rising, and I am determined to contribute to that ongoing pursuit of excellence in archery."
Prior to the European indoors, Shamrom made a significant shift in his approach.
"I stopped relentlessly 'fixing' and 'improving' my technique," Shamai explained. "Instead, I focused on embracing and maximizing my existing shot style. The key was committing to performing well with the technique I had already developed, rather than constantly seeking 'improvement'. This change in mindset proved to be crucial."
Maintaining this mindset throughout the upcoming outdoor schedule will be vital for Shamai. "I'm aiming to establish a solid career in archery and make a name for myself," he expressed. His next target? "Qualifying for the World Games."
The journey towards qualification for the 2025 event in Chengdu, which serves as the pinnacle for compound and field archery disciplines, begins with the European Archery Championships in Essen. However, there are other avenues for securing a spot to compete.
Yamrom emphasized the importance of progress each season. "Ultimately, I'm grateful to be able to pursue my passion," he concluded.
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