On 3 October, the defensive ditches of Alba Carolina Fortress became an archery ground. Fifty-one competitors representing 14 Romanian clubs gathered in Alba Iulia for the 2026 Romanian National Historical Archery Championship.
The setting was more than a picturesque backdrop. The competition brought historical and traditional bow designs into a place shaped by centuries of military history, creating an unusual meeting between the past and the modern sporting community.
The championship used three shooting areas, each with eight targets. One was dedicated to target archery, another to 3D shooting, and the third to historical and technical challenges. Together, they offered competitors different ways to demonstrate accuracy and control.
Equipment categories included historical-style bows made with natural or modern materials, traditional recurves and historical crossbows. The divisions reflected an important distinction in historical archery: preserving traditional bow forms does not necessarily mean using identical construction materials.
The host club, CSM Unirea Alba Iulia's Sagittarii section, had plenty to celebrate. Its athletes earned national titles and podium finishes across several categories.
Among them, Maria Sîrbu won the girls' Mini TR-RB division, while Kinga Kiss took silver in the women's senior HBM category. Csaba Szabo became national champion in the men's veteran HBM division, and Oana Costea won the women's Young Adult HBM title.
Yet the broader story extends beyond the medals. Fourteen clubs travelled to Alba Iulia for a competition devoted specifically to historical archery — evidence of an organised community bringing different generations and bow traditions together.
For a day, the fortress walls once again stood beside drawn bows. This time, the archers were there not for defence, but for sport, craftsmanship and the continuation of historical archery traditions.