Valentino Galante - Archery
South African Athlete Profile and Interview with Valentino Galante, a South African Archery athlete.
Name: Valentino Galante Sport: Archery
Personal Background:
- Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you got into Archery?
My name is Valentino Galante, but most people call me Vale. I’m 16 years old and I’m a competitive archer from Pretoria, South Africa. I started archery when I was around 14 years old. At first, it was just something I was curious about. I liked the idea of precision, focus, and doing something a bit different. But once I picked up a bow, I knew it was something special. It quickly went from a hobby to something I love and take very seriously. I was then spotted by my coach, Shaun Anderson from Odyssey Archery, while visiting his range. he immediately recognised my potential and talent and offered to coach me. - Where did you grow up, and how did your environment influence your path in sports?
I grew up in Pretoria. It’s where I started archery and where I’ve done most of my training. There weren’t a lot of other kids doing archery around me, so I kind of found my own path with it. But I think that made it even more special, because I wasn’t just following what everyone else was doing. It helped me focus on what I enjoy and what I’m good at. - Who are your biggest inspirations growing up, both in sports and life?
To be honest, I’ve never had one specific person I looked up to, besides both my Parents who always taught me to be strong and fight for what I want. My motivation has always come from wanting to be better than I was yesterday. I respect athletes who work hard and stay humble, but most of my inspiration comes from within, knowing what I’m capable of, and pushing to reach it.
Sport & Training:
4. What does a typical training day look like for you?
It usually starts with school, so most of my archery training happens in the afternoons or evenings. I focus on shooting rounds to build consistency and accuracy, and I also work on mental training, like focus and breathing, because that’s a huge part of archery. On weekends, I do longer sessions, sometimes practicing for hours at a time. I also spend time reviewing my form and checking in with my coach to keep improving.
5. What’s your favourite part of training, and what’s the most challenging?
My favourite part is when I hit that perfect shot, when everything lines up just right. That feeling never gets old. I also love seeing my progress over time. The most challenging part is probably dealing with mental blocks or off days when things just don’t seem to click, also tough weather conditions definitely play a role. In archery, even the smallest shift in focus can throw off a shot, so staying mentally strong is always a challenge.
6. How do you stay motivated during tough times or after setbacks?
I remind myself why I started and what I’m working towards. Setbacks are part of the journey, but I try to see them as opportunities to learn. My support system also plays a big role, my family and my coach always remind me that growth comes through the struggle, not just the wins. I also go back to basics, take a breath, and reset when I need to.
Achievements & Highlights:
7. What would you say has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?
Qualifying to represent South Africa at the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships in Canada was definitely a huge highlight. But because of the long visa process, there was a risk we wouldn’t get it in time. It was tough at first, but when one door closes, another opens—and I was fortunate to be selected to compete in both the World Archery Central European Cup and the European Youth Cup instead. These are major international events happening end of July 2025, just as big as Canada, and now I get to shoot in two top-tier competitions instead of one. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’m really excited about what’s ahead. Just knowing I’ll be standing on the line with some of the best young archers in the world means everything to me.
8. Is there a particular match/game/event that stands out as especially memorable?
Earning my Indoor and Outdoor Northern Gauteng Colours and of course qualifying for the World Championships is one I’ll never forget. There was a lot of pressure, and I had to stay focused through every shot at every event. When I was informed by Sanaa that I’d made the team, it was just a wave of emotion, relief, joy and pride. That moment confirmed that all the sacrifices and hard work were worth it.
9. Have you ever had a moment where you thought about giving up? What kept you going?
Honestly, no. So far, I haven’t had a moment where I felt like giving up. Of course, there have been challenges and tough days, but I’ve always stayed focused on my goals. Archery is something I genuinely love, and even when it gets hard, I never question whether I want to keep going, I just figure out how to keep improving.
Behind the Scenes:
10. What’s something about your sport that most people don’t understand or appreciate?
A lot of people think archery is just about aiming and shooting, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a mental game as much as a physical one. You have to be incredibly focused, calm, and consistent, shot after shot. One small distraction or tiny change in form can throw everything off. It takes hours of repetition, discipline, and mental control to perform under pressure, and I don’t think people always see that side of it.
11. Do you have any rituals or routines before competitions?
Yes, I like to keep things calm and focused. I usually run through my shot process in my head, do some light warm-ups, and take a few deep breaths before I start shooting. I also listen to music sometimes to keep my mind clear and in the zone. I do believe in being mentally prepared and sticking to my rhythm.
12. How do you balance the pressures of competition with your personal life?
It’s definitely a juggling act, especially with school and training. But I’ve learned to manage my time well and stay organised. I try to keep a healthy balance between archery, schoolwork, and relaxing with friends or family. I also remind myself that I’m still young and learning, so it’s okay to take breaks and enjoy life outside of sport too.
Team & Support:
13. Who are the key people in your support system—coaches, teammates, family?
My family is a huge part of my support system. They’ve stood by me through everything, early mornings, long trips, financial sacrifices, they’ve made it possible for me to pursue this dream. Definitely My coach has been a massive influence, constantly helping me refine my technique and mental game. I don’t have a big team around me like in other sports, but the few people I do have are incredibly dedicated, and I’m really grateful for them.
14. How important is teamwork or camaraderie in your sport?
Archery is mostly an individual sport when it comes to performance, but the sense of community around it is really strong. At competitions, you build friendships with other archers who understand the challenges and the pressure. Even though we compete against each other, there’s a lot of respect and support between us. So while I’m on the line alone, I never feel like I’m doing this journey by myself.
Looking Ahead:
15. What goals are you currently working toward?
Right now, my biggest focus is on performing well at the World Archery Central European Cup and the European Youth Cup. I want to represent South Africa with pride and show what I’m capable of on the international stage. I’m also working on improving my consistency under pressure and continuing to grow both technically and mentally as an archer.
16. Are there any specific competitions, titles, or personal milestones you’re aiming for?
In the short term, my goal is to finish strong in these upcoming European events and gain as much international experience as possible. Long term, I’m aiming for podium finishes at major international tournaments and, in 2 years, hopefully qualifying for the World Championships again—and maybe even the Olympics. Every step I take now is building toward that future.
17. How do you see your career evolving over the next five years?
I see myself becoming a more complete professional athlete, not just in terms of skill, but in mindset, experience, and maturity. I want to compete at the highest level consistently, travel to more international events, and inspire other young South African archers to believe that they can do it too. Archery isn’t just a sport for me, it’s a long-term journey.
Reflections & Advice:
18. What’s the most valuable lesson sport has taught you?
Archery has taught me patience, discipline, and how to stay calm under pressure. It’s also taught me that progress doesn’t always come quickly, you have to trust the process and stay consistent, even when results take time. Those lessons have helped me both in and out of sport.
19. What advice would you give to young athletes who want to follow in your footsteps?
Start where you are and with what you have. You don’t need perfect conditions to begin, you just need the willingness to work hard and keep showing up. Stay focused, you must be coachable and remember that your journey is your own. The setbacks will come, but they’re part of what makes the victories so meaningful. Since I started, it was really the best decision of my Life.
20. How do you want to be remembered in your sport?
I want to be remembered as someone who gave everything to the sport, who stayed true to himself, and who never gave up no matter what. I hope my story shows other young athletes that with hard work, focus, and support, anything is possible!