Belgium, Colombia, India and China to headline mixed team finals

While most athletes mentioned the tricky wind conditions, Belgian archer Sarah PRIEELS had no such difficultly. “The wind wasn’t disturbing us at all,” she admitted. “We felt a little bit stressed in the beginning, but we felt good and we got through!”

Along with partner Michael CAUWE, PRIEELS shocked the second ranked Netherlands in the first round. The 15-seed Belgians beat second-ranked Inge VAN CASPEL and Mike SCHLOESSER by two points, clearing the way for a run at the gold medal match.

On the other side of the brackets, Slovenia made a similar run until coming up short against Colombia in the semis. Colombia had already upset the USA in the quarters.

“It just wasn’t our day,” said a succinct Erika JONES.

Great Britain nearly knocked out Korea in the recurve mixed team quarterfinals. But couldn’t capitlise on a 17 shoot-off set from the Asians, drawing and losing on a closest-to-the-middle measure.

Korea’s next match went to a shoot-off, too. The last arrow of their match was Jayanta TALUKDAR’s. He needed a 10 to win the match – and the cool, calm archer who shot in the first ever World Cup Final at Merida planted his arrow in the middle.

“My teammates won bronze in Medellin, so it’s great to go one better,” admitted TALUKDAR. “Defeating Korea to make the gold medal match is really special. We’re confident now, so hoping to do well in the team and individual events as well.”

Popular among his peers and known as one of the nice guys on the international circuit, Jayanta faces China in the recurve mixed team gold medal match this Sunday.

See results from the third 2014 Archery World Cup stage in Antalya, which runs from 11-15 June. Check event news, and visit World Archery’s Facebook page and @worldarchery on Twitter for coverage.

 

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