Dodemont wins 1st World Cup stage at age 44

Frenchwoman Sophie Dodemont ticked off three major achievements at the fourth stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Berlin, Germany. She won two gold medals - compound women’s individual and team - and qualified for circuit's season-ending final in Samsun, Turkey.

The win also qualified Italian archer Marcella Tonioli for the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final.

“Marcella had told me on the training field so I knew about it and I'm very happy for her she’s qualified,” the French archer said. “She thanked me, like all Italians, and I even had a little gift [of a teddy bear].”

Sophie continued a high-level run in Berlin, shooting 11 10s, three nines and an eight in the final.

“I did not quite understand that eight, so I quickly forgot to continue doing what I know how to do,” said the 44-year-old, who took her first individual medal on tour in Salt Lake City with bronze. 

Her gold medal match opponent, Dutch archer Jody Vermeulen, did not leave the yellow, but couldn’t rack enough enough 10s to beat Sophie. Dodemont won the match, 145-143.

Tonioli won the bronze medal in Berlin, 146-145, against second seed Yesim Bostan, who also alread qualified for the World Cup Final.

The fourth stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Berlin, Germany on 16 to 22 July.