KIDDERMINSTER Olympian Naomi Folkard will be chasing her dream of World Cup glory when she takes part in the biggest event ever held in the UK this weekend at the International Centre in Telford.

Just under a thousand archers, from more than 30 countries, including the UK, will be turning up to take part in the European Archery Festival.

The event is also the third, and penultimate, leg of the World Archery Indoor World Cup, with two British archers in strong contention for the top prize. And around the competitions, the event is also hosting the largest archery trade show outside the USA.

Folkard, a three-time Olympian, won the women’s gold medal at the first leg of this season’s Indoor World Cup competition in Marrakesh in November, and is joint leader in the overall standings at the halfway stage of the competition with South Korean Sung Eun Jeon.

Sung, the gold medallist in Singapore, will also be taking part in Telford, making the women’s recurve event a real thriller, with much to play for.

A good performance in Telford will put her right in contention for the top prize, ahead of the final round, in Las Vegas on February 7 and 8.

“Naomi was superb in Marrakesh, and if she performs to the standards we all know she is capable of, then she will be a genuine contender, this weekend, and in the overall World Cup tournament,” said Telford competition manager Jon Nott.

“It’s incredibly prestigious for British archery that we are hosting such a big event, but after the success of the Olympic and Paralympic tournaments at London in 2012, and the World Cup Grand Final in Edinburgh four years ago, we have established a reputation we are proud to continue.

“We have many of the world’s top-ranked archers coming to Telford from Europe, America, Asia and Africa and the competition is going to be intense and fascinating.”