New Zealand Olympian Uprichard completes Masters Games sweep

Pictures courtesy Auckland 2017 World Masters Games.

Two-time Olympian Ken Uprichard collected his fourth win in the archery competitions at the 2017 World Masters Games, taking gold in the men’s 30-39 age group IFAA field, and World Archery outdoor, indoor and field events in Auckland, New Zealand. The 36-year-old, who was born in Christchurch (which is on the south island, while Auckland is on the north) represented New Zealand in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

“This was a great experience,” said Ken. “The medals were just a bonus. It’s great competing at home as the family is near and we don’t have to travel far.”

Uprichard posted the highest score of any recurve archer over the IFAA marked field round to open his competition week. Then, top seeded in the outdoor 70-metre tournament, he beat Australia’s Tayt Boylan, 6-0, in the semifinals and then Ukrainian archer Serg Karpenko, 6-2, in the final.

The indoor competition, decided on combined 25-metre and 18-metre ranking rounds, saw Ken score 572 and 576 points to lead overall. He completed the gold medal clean sweep with 300 points on the 24-arrow marked World Archery field round to take his fourth victory of the event.

Other New Zealanders to win multiple gold medals in Auckland included Gustav Bam, Elizabeth Ellery Siaosi, Linda Lainchbury (pictured above), Barbara Scott, Joanne Cochrane, Eddie Sides, Karen Moffat-McLeod, Rob Ward, Lisa Ferris, Lisa Zwaans, Karen Burnet, Chris Hurricks, Mike Savage and Roger Chan.

Anne Mitchell, who was named archery’s ambassador for the Games and competed in the compound women’s 60-69 category, collected bronze medals in the indoor, outdoor and World Archery field competitions.

“This is a great competition. It’s a wonderful experience to shoot with different archers. We have been so lucky with the weather, too! As this event was at home, in New Zealand, I just had to compete,” said Anne.

The World Masters Games is an international open entry multi-sport event held every four years. The 2017 edition of the event, which included archery competitions for individuals aged 30 and over in indoor, outdoor and field disciplines, was hosted by Auckland, New Zealand from 21-30 April 2017.

Around 25,000 athletes, plus staff, friends and family, are expected to have competed over the course of the event, with around half coming from overseas.