Olympic archer 'well satisfied' at Beijing form
Leamington archer Naomi Folkard has travelled to China in "good form" as she prepares for this month's Olympic games.
The 24-year-old left Britain for the Team GB's training camp in Macau on Sunday after producing some good performances in difficult conditions at a number of major shoots recently.
Her father Dennis said: "She has been in very good form and shot as recently as Saturday.
"In general she has declared that she is well satisfied with her shooting in both practice and competitions.
"We're hoping that continues for many weeks and into the Olympics."
In the past three weeks Folkard has faced stiff opposition in winning the Bedford FITA 70 and Olympic head-to-head tournament, the Meriden Double FITA 70 competition and the Cleve Archers FITA Star.
And last Saturday she went to Andover to compete in the first day of the Double FITA Star and scored an impressive 1341, despite a miss at 50 meters when her sight was incorrectly positioned.
Folkard finished 11th at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and hopes to stand on the winners podium in Beijing this time.
She said: "I have worked really hard over the last four years preparing for Beijing and I am now very much looking forward to the event and will do my very best to bring back a medal.
"I am particularly grateful to my coaches Barry and June Farndon at Coventry's Dunlop Club who I can't thank enough for their unflagging support over the last 15 years.
"Sponsorship from Wright Hassall and estate agent Malcolm Hawkesford has also been invaluable."
The GB ladies' team, which includes Athens bronze medalist Alison Willamson and Charlotte Burgess are much fancied for a medal.
They have been so successful on the international circuit that they are now ranked 2nd in the world behind Korea.
However they face a strong challenge from the host nation China, Italy and Poland.
Archery will start on the first day of the Olympics and will end seven days into the games.
This will mean that Folkard and her teammates will miss the opening and closing ceremonies.
But they will travel to the World Field Archery Championships at the beginning of September.
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Weather for Leamington
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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