Turkish compound man Demir Elmaagacli beat Danish World Archery Champion and world number one Stephan Hansen, shooting a stylish 30-point finish, in the gold medal match at the fourth stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
“It doesn’t matter who I shoot against. I know I can shoot better than my opponent and now I just want to get ready for the World Cup Final in Rome,” said Demir, who qualified for the circuit finale despite not medalling individually at any other stage.
Seeded 25th after the 72-arrow 50-metre ranking round, Demir beat Josef Bosanky, Nico Weiner, Mads Haugseth, Patrick Roux and Steve Anderson in the eliminations.
Throughout his final match against Hansen, Elmaagacli was calm and collected; Hansen, less so. After starting strong, the Dane was shaking his head and throwing his release aid as arrows landed wide in the red.
Demir finished with three perfect 10s. The final score: 146-141.
“This was a very difficult season for me. I just wanted to go to finals. It made me feel a bit of pressure and it was difficult; I’m now trusting myself much more after qualifying for Rome and winning gold here in Berlin,” added Demir.
Prior to Berlin, Elmaagacli and Hansen had shot against each other four times – and Hansen had only won once.
In Shanghai in 2014, Hansen won in a shoot-off. But in Antalya 2015, Wroclaw 2015 and Antalya 2016, it was Demir who left the line victorious.
Braden Gellenthien took bronze over USA teammate Steve Anderson, 147-146.
The fourth stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 8 to 13 August in Berlin, Germany.
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