Millimetres win gold medal shoot-off for China’s women

Korea shot 10-10-10 against Colombia in a first-round tiebreaker on Friday morning and hadn’t lost a set in the Antalya 2014 since. The final was level all the way; China trading set wins with the Korean until the match was drawn at four-all. 

With two eights in the target for the Korean women, China needed just an eight with its last arrow to take the match – but Fang YUTING could only manage a seven. 

The Korean team let out a cry of shock, but the shoot-off went to a measurement. The closest shaft to the middle would take the match, and it wasn’t easy to pick between the two teams. 

It was China’s. 

“The key is that we always believed in ourselves and that we could do it,” said FANG. “We never doubted, and we finally won.” 

“Korea put in an excellent performance, too,” the group added. 

The final was a rematch of the London 2012 women’s team gold medal match, which featured the same Chinese line-up. Korea’s squad might have changed, but China’s experienced trio has been working hard to perfect their team game. 

“We worked on a shooting order in training,” the three ladies said. “We found one that felt right, and we’ve become accustomed to it.” 

“Next up is the Asian Games – and though the selection shoot hasn’t happened yet, we hope to shoot together there.” 

Russia’s 6-0 set point victory over Japan in the bronze medal match was less dramatic. Inna STEPANOVA and the Russian ladies put their first six-arrows in the gold to go 2-0 up and didn’t look back. 

Ren HAYAKAWA of Japan has a second shot at bronze in the individual recurve competition later today, live on Archery TV.

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