Wolfgang in fact is a former experienced compound archer himself, having competed at multiple World Target, 3D and Field Championships.
He shot as recently as 2023 and also participated in the Antalya 2019 World Cup alongside his son and coached him in the Turkish city this year at stage 3 of the circuit.
Wiener’s shouts therefore weren’t just for his own joy but a result of all the hard work they have put in as well since he was a junior to get to this point.
“Like when I didn’t have a driving licence, they’d drive me to competitions, buying me more equipment. There’s three of us [children] and we all do sports,” he replied when asked what sacrifices Bettina and Wolfgang had done for him. “I’m thankful for my parents and also my brother, sister, girlfriend and everyone supporting.”
What was more incredible about the 29-year-old at Plaza de Armas was how he was shooting with a wrist brace on his right hand.
He revealed afterwards that it was a minor injury but said he’d recently picked up a pain in the area, no doubt from the insane number of hours of training he does back home in Austria.
So not 100 per cent fully fit, he managed to defeat the current World champion – Girard – the Madrid winner – Gomez Zuluaga – and the ranked number one – Fullerton.
The way he behaved throughout the morning session, though, there wasn’t going to be anything stopping Nico Wiener from being the 2026 World Cup compound men champion.
He was on a mission.
The action continues this afternoon in Saltillo with the compound women finals – where Becerra Arizaga is also shooting – which you can watch live with a subscription to archery+.
