Hosts Germany climb Donaueschingen podium

Host nation Germany and the team of Vanessa Bui, Lucia Kupczyk and Karina Granitza won its lone medal at the World Archery Para Championships with a silver medal in the compound women’s open team category.

A shoot-off was all that separated the German team from claiming the gold medal, but the defending champions Russia proved too strong.

The Russian team – consisting of Iuliia Alekseeva, Marina Lyzhnikova and Stepanida Artakhinova, who set a new world record during the Paralympic qualification tournament – won the contest and the title, 28-26 in the three-arrow shoot-off.

Despite defeat, Granitza was delighted with the crowd support she received: “I am still trembling, it was amazing.”

“I can’t quite believe how nervous you do feel when shooting in front of such a crowd,” she said.

The German team were naturally disappointed to lose out on the gold medal by such a small margin, but came into the final as the underdogs against the 2013 World Champions, Russia.

“Of course we wanted to win the gold medal,” Granitza continued. “But we are very happy to medal and give the German support something to cheer for.”

The medal match was the only finals field appearance for a the German squad at their home worlds.

It might not have gone the host nation’s way, but it was a dramatic show. At the end of the 24-arrow match, it looked like the Russian’s had taken it by a point. In fact, the German team had already started moving off the line – before the judge at the targets signalled a draw.

One of Germany’s arrows had been upgraded.

Both teams took to the line again, but couldn’t come up with enough to beat the defending gold medallists.

“The Russians are the best team in the world and we came very close to defeating them,” said Vanessa Bui.

“It does add a bit of pressure shooting in your home nation at such an event as the world championships, but I felt excited to be shooting in every match.” Bui concluded.