Jesse BROADWATER on top of compound qualifications

Formed of a 72 arrow round at 50m, the compound qualifications echoed the rest of the 2013: a strong rivalry between American and European archers.

Defending silver medallist Jesse BROADWATER (photo) was the top individual qualifier with a total of 713 points. The 29-year-old, who has won major titles in all disciplines (target, field, indoor archery) but who doesn’t shoot the World Cup, finished on top of the rankings - and three points ahead of his closest competitor, a large margin in compound archery.

“It feels good, I really wanted to win the Worlds the first time, two years ago,” declared the archer from Pennsylvania. “Hopefully I can make a run at it this time, and do a little bit better, if I happen to make it that far. Today went pretty well; the wind started picking up there in the afternoon a little bit but I still managed to execute good shots... and that’s what it’s all about.”

Second place went to Adam RAVENSCROFT (GBR), a promising but inexperienced international shooter at 31 years old. His only previous major international event was the Shanghai World Cup earlier this year, where he also claimed a high seed with a strong score in qualification. The Brit said he was “surprised" with his performance, explaining: “I had a good first half, not so good second – and it just turned out better on paper. A lot of nerves, a lot of sweat, a lot of jitters – but I've done it.”

Third place went to European champion and recent World Cup Final bronze medallist Sergio PAGNI (ITA), ahead of world N°1 Reo WILDE (USA), winner of the 2013 Medellin World Cup and the World Games. The 5th and 6th spots went to two Dutch archers: 19-year-old Mike SCHLOESSER, 4th at the last Junior World Championships, and Peter ELZINGA, an archer who is consistently high in qualifications.

Steady scores of 354 points in both halves allowed defending world champion Chris PERKINS (CAN) to finish in 7th place. The 21-year-old, who missed the World Cup events this year because he was busy working, said he felt confident. According to PERKINS his level is the same as two years ago and his approach will be the same: he will simply try to shoot like he does at home in practice.

Shanghai champion and World Cup Final Paris runner-up Braden GELLENTHIEN (USA) qualified in 8th, grabbing the last spot giving a bye into the 1/16 elimination round.

Recent World Cup medallists missed the cut to have a direct bye: Wroclaw champion Pierre-Julien DELOCHE (FRA), 11th with 705 points, World Cup Final winner Martin DAMSBO (DEN), 19th with 704 points, and Antalya champion Patrick LAURSEN (DEN), 45th with 693 points.

“I’m really trying to get back into the competition mode again, and it’s hard,” said DAMSBO. “The World Cup Final was my goal for the year and so I’m struggling a little bit – but we’ll see how it goes. During the first half the weather was perfect so if you shot a 9 you felt like you should bang yourself in the head, in the second half it got a bit more windy so there was a little bit more open shooting – but I’m happy with it. Now I’ll go play some more on the practice field and see how it goes.”

The United States, on track to win a sixth consecutive world title, topped the team rankings with 2129 points, but the Netherlands (main photo) are not far behind. With 2120 points, the Dutch group's score is a new European team record, ahead of their own previous mark of 2107. South Africa was 3rd (2111) in front of Medellin champion France (2108). Denmark, winner of the Antalya World Cup, finished in 8th place today.

World Archery Communication

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