Pitman upsets Olympic silver medallist for Marrakesh gold

Nineteen-year-old Bryony Pitman, the second-seeded recurve woman at the first stage of the 2016/17 Indoor Archery World Cup in Marrakesh, upset London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Aida Roman in a five-set final to take gold.

Pitman trailed 4-2 after three, then shot sets of 29 and 30 points to first draw level, then take the match.

“Really happy with the win. I’ve been shooting really well, recently, so I was confident coming into this weekend. I was hoping to come in the top three,” said Bryony. “To win it is incredible, especially against someone as experienced and well-known as Aida.”

Brady Ellison converted his record-setting qualification into recurve men’s gold.

He shot four perfect sets of 30 points in the final against Matteo Fissore, taking the match 6-2. (Fissore shot two 30s, splitting those set points.)

“I really can’t wait to get this bow out when I feel I am tournament ready. It’s so smooth, it’s so easy to shoot. This tournament has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities,” said Ellison.

Danelle Wentzel and World Archery Champion Stephan Hansen won the compound women’s and compound men’s competitions, respectively, both by a point.

Wentzel led 2016 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final winner Marcella Tonioli from the first end.

Needing a 10 to win the arrow with her final match, South African 21-year-old Danelle delivered, taking out the spot. She said afterwards: “Although it seemed effortless, it wasn’t easy. I am just better at indoors than outdoors, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the indoor season.”

Hansen’s opponent in the final, Mike Schloesser, who shot 599 out of 600 points for qualification, started with eight straight 10s – but at three ends shot, the pair were level, at 89 each. Hansen only dropped one further arrow out of the middle, Mike shot two nines.

Stephan won the match, 148-147.

“It’s really early in the season. I’ve shot indoors for about two months now and I’ve shot a lot of competitions so I felt really ready for this one so I’m happy it was a success,” he said.

The first stage of the 2016/17 Indoor Archery World Cup runs 26/27 November 2016 in Marrakesh, Morocco.