Lopez survives tiebreak to win 10th Hyundai Archery World Cup stage of career

Colombia’s Sara Lopez won a shoot-off against Jody Vermeulen in the compound women’s gold medal match at the first stage of the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Medellin, securing herself an automatic ticket to the circuit final and collecting the 10th stage win of her career.

“I was nervous because the World Cup was coming back to Colombia and it was a chance to win my 10th one,” said Lopez.

“You can see that the level is increasing and anyone can win. I can be beaten. It’s hard because you train a lot – but it’s cool, because that’s the goal, to improve the level and prove that the women can shoot better than the men. There’s a lot of people out there that can be as good as we are.”

The world number two was in command for much of the 15-arrow match.

She had a three points lead after three ends, which reduced to one point one end later. Vermeulen had dropped four points in the first two ends – but didn’t put a single arrow out of the 10 for the rest of the regulation match.

Sara’s last arrow needed to be a 10 to force a tiebreak, and she hit it.

Opening the shoot-off, Lopez’s arrow landed wide right. Her opponents in a near-identical spot. It went to a measure – but the Colombian world record holder had stolen it.

“I shot the nine and I thought I had lost… but Alejandra Usquiano, who was collecting the arrows, let me know mine was closer and I was super happy,” said Sara.

The Dutch archer on the other target knew she had missed an opening.

“You can always do something more but, yeah, it was a bit slow but it was a good shot,” said Vermeulen. “I was nervous of course, but next time it’ll be better. I was happy to be in the gold final and I am really proud of myself.”

Jody Vermeulen has now won two silver medals in two consecutive stages of the Hyundai Archery World Cup – here in Medellin, and last season in Berlin.

This second podium should push her into the top 10 in the world rankings when the new list is released on Monday.

Lopez, meanwhile, brings her career Hyundai Archery World Cup stage wins total to 10. She, in a tie with Brady Ellison, has the most Hyundai Archery World Cup Final wins, too, with four. 

Having won in Medellin, Sara has already secured herself a spot at this year’s season-ending event – the location of which is yet to be announced, where she will go for a record-breaking fifth circuit title.

Alexis Ruiz edged out Denmark’s Tanja Jensen in the compound women’s bronze medal match, 146-145. The USA archer, who won the last World Archery Youth Championships, made her Hyundai Archery World Cup debut here in Medellin.

Competition at the first stage of the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Medellin, Colombia runs until Sunday 28 April.