Roberval dos Santos

Lore & Background

Dos Santos started archery for fun in 1989 when he bought his first bow, treating it as a hobby until 1994. In 1995 he became a professional archer and placed second in the Brazilian Nationals that same year. In 1996 he was appointed to the national team for the Pan-American Championship in Mexico City, and in 1997 he competed in his first World Championships, finishing eighth. The introduction of the FITA Archery World Cup in 2006, with four stages across four countries and a money prize, allowed archers worldwide to meet more frequently and compete at a higher level. Dos Santos won the third stage in Antalya, Turkey, in 2006, making him the first Brazilian to win a World Class Event in archery. In 2007 he finished third, fourth, and ninth in three of the four stages, advancing to the World Cup Finals in Dubai. There he lost the semi-final to Jorge Jimenes of El Salvador in a tie-breaker arrow, then defeated Sebastien Brasseur of France to win the bronze medal, ending the year ranked third in the world. In 2008 he broke the Pan American record with 1403 points in the Round FITA (out of a maximum 1440), becoming the 17th person worldwide to shoot above 1400 points.

Reader's Guide

Roberval dos Santos's significance lies in his pioneering achievements for Brazilian archery on the international stage. He was the first Brazilian to win a World Class Event, doing so at the 2006 FITA Archery World Cup stage in Antalya, Turkey. This victory marked a breakthrough for archery in Brazil, a country not traditionally associated with the sport. His consistent performance in the 2007 World Cup—placing third, fourth, and ninth in three stages—earned him a spot in the Finals in Dubai, where he secured the bronze medal after a tie-breaker loss in the semi-finals. That year he finished third in the World Ranking, further establishing his reputation. In 2008 he set a Pan American record of 1403 points in the Round FITA, joining an elite group of only 17 archers worldwide who had shot above 1400 points. His career illustrates how the new World Cup format, with its multiple stages and prize money, enabled archers from non-traditional countries to compete regularly at the highest level and achieve international recognition. Dos Santos's legacy is that of a trailblazer who demonstrated that Brazilian archers could compete with and defeat the world's best.

Did You Know?

• Dos Santos bought his first bow in 1989 and treated archery as a hobby until 1994.
• He placed second in the Brazilian Nationals in 1995, the year he turned professional.