Unruh supporting team from Medellin sidelines after disappointing qualification

Lisa Unruh is an Olympic silver medallist and a three-time world champion. Her season, though, didn’t start quite as well as she wanted.

Seeded 30th overall with 620 out of a possible 720 points for the 72-arrow 70-metre ranking round in Medellin, she was 43 points shy of her season best and back in the pack in the ranking.

“I have analysed the score with my coach and we both think it might be a problem with the bow, it’s reacting hard,” said Lisa. “My arrows were going from left to right the whole time and I don’t know why. My shots are good, I’m feeling really good and confident, but the target doesn’t reflect it.”

She saw herself through the first round of eliminations at this, the first stage of the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup, beating Elizabeth Rodriguez of Cuba.

The match was far from comfortable, going the full five sets.

“During my match today, the shots were good, but I’m still not pleased,” said Lisa.

Michelle Kroppen, Elena Richter and Katharina Bauer, her three teammates in Medellin, all finished in the top 15 over qualification. Unusually, it means Lisa will focus solely on her individual matches, supporting the German recurve women’s team from the stands.

She said she’s okay with that.

“We support each other and we don’t see our team as if each of us have a role; we are all equally important,” said Unruh. “Our goal is the same and we work together for it.”

That goal this year, the pre-Olympic season, is clear – to earn the coveted team quota place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, after it was just Lisa that shot at the last Games in 2016.

“We are training hard, we are a very good team, we trust each other, and I think we can win the place,” said Lisa, grinning. “It is our time.”

The Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist will, for now, focus on finishing Medellin well. One step at a time.

Competition at the first stage of the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Medellin, Colombia runs until Sunday 28 April.