Lopez wins World Games gold with perfect last end

Sara Lopez shot 147 points in the compound women’s final to beat Slovenia’s Toja Ellison, who scored 144 out of a possible 150, and claim the individual gold medal at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland.

“I’m very happy because it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I lost the chance to shoot for gold in Cali in 2013,” said Sara, who finished third in this event four years ago.

“I was only 18 years old and I didn’t have much idea what was going on back then in the archery world. I lost [in the semis] against Erika Jones, who was my idol at that time, and ever since then I promised I would win it here.”

Sara and Toja both started with 29, then Sara drew ahead with a perfect end. She never let off. The Colombian world number two finished with another perfect 30 to take the match.

Ranked world number one for 1033 days until mid-June, Lopez decided to take a one-year gap from her medical studies to fully dedicate this year to archery.

“I made big sacrifices with my studies this year and this means I made the right choice. I’m happy and although the morning didn’t go as expected for me and Camilo [Cardona], it means there are better things coming up for us at the World Championships,” she said.

The Colombian pair finished fourth in the compound mixed team event in Wroclaw.

Silver medal winner Toja Ellison was pleased with her performance.

“In my semifinal match I was so nervous because I haven’t been in the finals [arena] for a while, so for my last match I just realised there was nothing for me to lose,” said Toja. “I wanted to have fun, make the best shots I possible could and I’m happy to achieve that. I shot good and so did she.”

The USA’s Christie Colin beat Alexandra Savenkova in the bronze medal match after a shoot-off. Alexandra, shooting first, shot a nine. Christie, a 10.

The compound target archery competitions at the 2017 World Games run 29/30 July in Wroclaw, Poland.