Bedford’s archery star, Illaria Knibb is celebrating a triple medal haul after winning a silver and two bronze medals at archery’s European Indoor Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria at the end of February.
Illaria won silver as part of the Barebow Women’s team, a bronze in the Barebow Mixed team and a further bronze in the Barebow Women’s individual competition, as her stock in the world of archery continues to rise.
The 22nd edition of the European Indoor Archery Championships took place at the Kolodrum Arena in Plovdiv, with over 300 archers from across Europe descending on Bulgaria in recurve, compound and barebow competitions.
Illaria’s forte is the barebow class, and she has now built on her status as the UK indoor champion and a first medal on mainland Europe in the JVD Open, with even more in Bulgaria, cementing her status as one of the continent’s rising stars.
Read: Bedford’s Illaria Knibb wins European archery silver in Eindhoven
“Thanks to the help of so many people, I had the most amazing time representing Great Britain at the European Indoor Championships”, said 22-year old Illaria following another successful tournament.
“Initially my goal was to get into the top eight, and potentially win a medal with the women’s team.
“However I exceeded all of my expectations and won three medals for Great Britain. I’m so incredibly proud of how I performed and I look forward to seeing what the rest of 2026 will bring.”
A self-funded venture
The achievement was made all the more impressive given the trip was entirely self-funded, with personal financial outlay backed up by community fundraising.
A statement on the GB Archery website states, “there is no getting away from the challenging choices individuals and their families have to make to reach the top.
“[Athletes] need to consider carefully the commitment required to reach the top of our sport. The time and financial implications can be substantial and whilst we are mindful of individual circumstances – many of our athletes are balancing jobs, education and training.”
GB Archery go on to say that, “only a handful of athletes will receive an Athlete Performance Award (APA) through UK Sport – and only if they medal at a milestone event, and show consistently they are on the trajectory of winning a medal at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.”
The barebow class is not accepted at the Olympic Games, with only the recurve bow used. While the compound bow is being added to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, there is still no sign of the Barebow gaining acceptance.
With the outdoor season approaching, and the opportunity to hit the turf of Clophill Archery Club appears once more, Knibb now turns her attention to carrying her momentum into other international tournaments on the horizon, as she goes on the hunt for further national success.
