ELLA GIBSON
Ella Gibson has also appeared into the top 10 this year, having only started archery in 2017. This year she took her first major event title, the European Indoor Championships in Lasko, Slovenia, adding an indoor gold to the outdoor silver she took at the European Outdoor Championships a year ago – following that with World Cup gold in Antalya. She also spoke to Mimi Landström
WHO HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM, AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
I have learnt so much from so many different people over the years. I learnt some of my foundations from the coaches at my club – Steph and Dan Gill – and even more elements of my technique from Jon Nott. I have learnt about my kit from so many people like Simon Scott, Shaun Teasdale, James Mason, Greg Poole and others. There isn’t one person that has taught me everything, but rather a huge group effort that has shaped the archer I am. One of the biggest things I have learnt is actually from Simon, Jon and myself. That’s to trust myself and my instincts, and that whenever I do that, I will be successful.
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU MADE IN THE PAST YEAR – IN LIFE OR ARCHERY?
I haven’t really made any changes in life, but I have made some in my shooting. In the past year, I have made some equipment changes, moving from Doinker stabilisers to AAE rods, changing from Easton arrows to Black Eagle arrows and swapping my kisser for a nose button.
YOU’VE HAD A LOT OF FAMILY SUPPORT. IT SEEMS ALL SUCCESSFUL ARCHERS NEED SOME KIND OF SUPPORT. WOULD YOU SAY THAT’S RIGHT?
Absolutely, my family are amazing and super supportive of my archery. Everyone needs a support system. It doesn’t have to be family, but I do think that you need others who believe in you, that will be there for you.
YOU AVOIDED LOCKDOWNS LAST YEAR SIMPLY BY STAYING IN EUROPE BETWEEN TOURNAMENTS. IS THAT RIGHT? HOW DID THAT FEEL?
Yes, last year the European Championships were in Turkey. At the time, Turkey was on our red list, meaning if I went I wouldn’t be able to return to the UK without staying in a quarantine hotel for two weeks, which would have meant no practice and a huge cost. I didn’t
want to miss the European Championships. Just two weeks after it was the Paris World Cup, which I also didn’t want to miss, so I went to Turkey with one other archer and then stayed in Luxembourg with friends for two weeks. I am super-happy with that decision as I won my first individual senior medal there, silver, as well as my spot to the World Games, which I am attending in a couple of months. It was a tricky thing to do, being away from home for so long, but it was worth it. I had a good two weeks of training before Paris, where we won another silver medal – as a team this time.
WHO ARE YOU KEENEST TO FACE IN MATCH PLAY AND WHY?
I would like to face Tanja Gellenthien again as I have shot against her a couple times and have yet to win, so I want to keep doing it until I do. There isn’t anyone I am keen to avoid. There are so many great archers out there and I don’t think wanting to avoid anyone will serve you well if you want to win.
HOW MANY ARROWS DO YOU SHOOT IN A WEEK?
It all varies, depending on what I am working on that week. Honestly, it is never the same each week, but generally around 1,000 to 2,000 a week. I also do some gym workouts for strength. I have a S&C coach that writes me personalised programs. This varies depending on where I am in the season. If I need my best performance, then I will reduce or even stop my gym sessions, but when I have some room or preseason, I will do more, normally two to three sessions a week.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS CONTRIBUTED THE MOST TO YOUR CURRENT SUCCESS?
Time. I don’t feel I am shooting better than I have done the past couple of years, but I have a bit more experience now. I’ve had time to get used to how I shoot and trust myself more to make the changes I need when I need them.
YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO AMERICA A LOT THIS YEAR FOR COMPETITIONS. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL CONSIDER MOVING THERE IF YOU HAVE THE CHANCE?
I don’t know. I will have to see what the future holds. That may be something I will need to do
one day, but I think I will just keep travelling a lot and try to be smart in planning my calendar.
TELL US ABOUT THE WIN IN ANTALYA? HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR IT? HOW DID IT FEEL AFTER?
I didn’t prepare to win it but I did prepare for it. One of my main preparations was actually going to Arizona Cup a few weeks before, I knew it would be a good warm event to see how I was shooting and how my kit would perform under pressure. I really think it helped by getting those first competition nerves out of the way before Antalya.
I went into Antalya planning on a top eight finish and thought a medal would be a bonus but not a definite. Winning was an amazing surprise for me and, honestly, until the second end of my gold medal match, I was certain that it wouldn’t happen. The moment Alejandra Usquiano dropped a nine, I realised I could do it, that I could actually win, and I am really happy I did what I needed to achieve that.
HOW WILL YOU TRAIN AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP FINALS? WILL YOU BE DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING CURRENTLY?
I have a bit of a gap before the World Cup finals so I plan on going back to the USA for some competitions to keep that high-level pressure up and to do some extra physical prep before it.