Ochoa has shot at Salt Lake gold, only Lopez to beat

Mexico’s Linda Ochoa-Anderson has been shooting on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit since it was launched in 2006. The 31 year old has bagged countless medals in that 13-year span, but never won individual gold at a stage.

She’ll have her fourth shot in a final - after taking three silvers – at the third stage of the tour in 2018 in Salt Lake City, where she now lives with husband and US archer Steve Anderson.

“This is what I practise for,” said Linda, the world’s number eight ranked compound woman.

“I shoot a lot of tournaments, especially here in the US, but my goal is always the World Cup so it feels good to be in the finals for gold.” 

Linda’s last appearance in a final came in Shanghai in 2015. She lost 149-145 to Sara Lopez, the very same person she’ll face for gold at this event.

“I know what Linda can do, so it’s going to be fun,” said top-seeded Sara, who qualified 21 points ahead of her nearest competitor in Salt Lake. 

“I promised my grandmother that I’d be in the finals this time and I’m keeping that promise.”

For the first time in 2018, each stage gold medal match carries extra importance – winners qualify for the season-ending Hyundai Archery World Cup.

Lopez qualified already after winning stage one in Shanghai, meaning it’s all Linda’s to lose.

“The pressure is there since every time I want to win,” said Linda. “Of course, I want to make the Finals, but I want to win gold anyways so I’m not going to think about the World Cup Finals.” 

“I’m just going to think about me.”

The Phlippines’ Amaya Amparo Cojuangco faces Sophie Dodemont of France for the compound women’s bronze medal in Salt Lake.

The third stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Salt Lake City, USA on 18-24 June.