Kim Woojin beats Brady Ellison in straight-set Rome final

Reigning World Archery Champion Kim Woojin beat four-time Hyundai Archery World Cup Final winner Brady Ellison to the champion title in Rome, winning the last match of the circuit’s long season in straight sets.

“Since I was shooting against Brady Ellison I was nervous, but in the end I think that nervousness helped me. I was able to focus more and shoot better,” said Woojin, who finished the final with three perfect 10s.

“It’s been a while since I had an opportunity to shoot in a World Cup final and as soon as I shot that [last] arrow, it felt electrifying.”

The world number one beat the host’s David Pasqualucci, 6-0, and then Steve Wijler of the Netherlands, 7-1, to secure a match against returning winner Brady for the crown.

Woojin shot sets of 29, 29 and 30 points, against Brady’s trio of 27s, to secure the victory.

After an incredibly-strong semifinal match in which he averaged 9.73 points per arrow to beat Im Dong Hyun, Ellison’s arrows didn’t land comfortably in the final.

“I felt good shooting that last match. I shot high and I shot left,” he said. “I’m still happy with the performance, just a little bummed that I didn’t hit how I felt.”

It is the second Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion crown for 25-year-old Kim Woojin, after Tokyo in 2012, and matches his two World Archery Champion titles from 2011 and 2015.

His eyes, and aim, now turn towards Mexico City and the next world championships in October.

“I was able to shoot well and prepare quite a bit for World Cups. If I do everything I can with the time I have left, I think I might be able to do well,” said Woojin. 

Im Dong Hyun beat Steve Wijler in straight sets in the bronze medal match.

“Tokyo 2012 was my most recent World Cup Final so it’s been about five years. Even though I was nervous, I enjoyed it and it was a great experience leading up to the world championships,” said Im.

The 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final takes place on 2/3 September in Rome, Italy