Korea clinical in Rome mixed team match

Korean pair Kim Woojin and Chang Hye Jin beat the hosts of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final Italy, represented by Mauro Nespoli and Vanessa Landi, 5-1, to claim the mixed team title in Rome.

“Shooting here has been really nice because the Italian archers gave a good battle, they are always hard to beat but this time it was more difficult,” said Kim Woojin.

“Although the crowd was very loud supporting their archers, we didn’t get nervous because they are very nice and they were smiley while shooting, so we thought they were enjoying themselves – and so did we.”

The reigning World Archery Champion and Rio 2016 Olympic Champion, who were also the top-ranked individuals in Rome, shot 38 points to Italy’s 37 in the first set – before the two pairs split the second.

Both mixed teams landed two 10s with their first two arrows of the third – and the crowd got loud.

But Landi, shooting first in the second rotation, dropped a six, and that was the end of the Italians’ chances. Korea finished nine, 10 and took its fifth recurve mixed team title at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final.

“I don’t know what happened with the six, it felt like a good shot so I will look back at the video and try to understand. I was maybe nervous, maybe. I don’t know,” Landi said.

“This was a big experience for me, it’s the first time I shoot at a World Cup Final and having it here in Rome, it’s fantastic… I had all my family and friends in the crowd.”

Korea also took gold at the Finals in Istanbul in 2011, Paris in 2013, Mexico City in 2015 and Odense in 2016.

The 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final takes place on 2/3 September in Rome, Italy.