Schloesser qualifies for Samsun with tight Antalya win

World number four Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands beat the USA’s Kris Schaff by a single point, 146-145, in the compound men’s gold medal match at the second stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, and secured automatic qualification to the circuit final.

“I shot 15 acceptable arrows; I shot 10 really good arrows. So, I still need to work on it but I feel really happy with what I’ve accomplished today,” said Schloesser.

“It’s been a great week. I shot awesome elimination matches. I shot a 149 average two days ago, and I think that’s really high level.”

Following a shaky bronze medal match in Shanghai at stage one of the international tour, in which he admitted struggling with nerves, Mike looked like a different man in the Antalya arena.

He shot with confidence throughout.

When he and Schaff were tied at 117 points apiece going into the final end, Schloesser ended with a strong group and 29 points. Even if his last arrow was the nine, it wasn’t a bad shot.

Schaff put two wide, for 28, including the last arrow – which could have forced a shoot-off had it hit home – and Mike took the match.

“It went good from the start. I still had some arrows that could have gone better but I’m really happy with the steps I made,” said Mike.

Braden Gellenthien beat first-time international Nima Mahboubi Matbooe, 148-146, in the bronze medal match.

After shooting a brand-new set-up in the USA compound men’s losing team final in the morning, Gellenthien went back to the bow that had served him well in the week for this individual bronze medal match.

The second stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Antalya, Turkey on 20-26 May.

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