Chinese Taipei puts 2 female teams into finals

Chinese Taipei’s recurve and compound women’s teams made the gold medal matches at the third stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Salt Lake City, USA – making it a third consecutive event on the year in which both teams will make appearances in the finals arena.

Compound archers Chen Li Ju, Chen Yi-Hsuan and Huang I-Jou seeded second with a combined score of 1968 out of a possible 2160 points over the 72-aarrow 50-metre ranking round.

They first beat Italy by one, 221-220, in the quarters and then Russia by three, 229-226, in the semis to make the final against Colombia.

“We trusted each other and we shot as we do in practice,” said Chen. “Colombia have Sara Lopez with them but we trust ourselves and will give our best to fight for the gold.”

Having made the final twice already this year, the Taipei women took silver in Shanghai and gold in Antalya.

Their recurve teammates Lei Chien-Ying, Peng Chia-Mao and Tan Ya-Ting seeded top and then beat Colombia in the quarters and USA in the semis, both 6-2.

“We are very happy about today’s performance because the wind has been very tricky all week,” said Lei. “Communication was key for us.”

For the chance of securing their first gold, after falling to Korea in Shanghai and then taking bronze in Antalya, they will face Aida Roman, Alejandra Valencia and Ana Paula Vazquez of Mexico, the silver medallist team at the last world championships.

“It’s easier not to have Korea at this stage but we still have to beat Mexico if we want to win. The key here [in Salt Lake] will be to follow and to try to understand the wind,” added Peng.

USA and Japan will contest the recurve women’s bronze, and USA and Russia the compound women’s third spot.

The third stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Salt Lake City, USA on 18-24 June.