Chinese Taipei display quality to take first women’s team gold of season

Tan Ya-Ting, Peng Chia-Mao and Lei Chien-Ying beat Mexico, 5-1, to take Chinese Taipei’s first recurve women’s team gold medal of 2019 next to the beach in Antalya.

“This team has been working together for several years now. Everything is harmonious. It’s only natural that we should do well,” said coach Ni.

Chinese Taipei closed the first end with three 10s to take the opening set points. Mexico found the mark and opened with three 10s in the second, but Taipei’s second-half 29 forced a split. They opened the throttle in the third with a tight 57 points to take the victory. 

The Taipei women are veterans of the Hyundai Archery World Cup, with over a dozen appearances at the finals. However, Antalya is their first gold medal since 2018.  

As the last match at the last major tournament before the world championships, it displayed Taipei’s best qualities.

“We are excited to be going to the Netherlands,” said coach Ni. “Of course, the goal is always gold. How many gold medals are we targeting? Five.”

The women’s final followed a thrilling opening match between Russia and Spain for the bronze – with quality shooting on both sides. The first two sets split, Spain fired in a 57 in the third, then slipped in the fourth as Russia replied with a 58.

The scores tied at 4-4, a shoot-off was required.

Sayana Tsyrempilova opened with an eight to Elia Canales’ strong 10, but Celia Castanos then sent an eight to Inna Stepanova’s nine. It was Elena Osipova’s excellent last arrow – an X – that won a closest-to-the-middle measure after Alicia Marin finished with a nine.

The recurve men’s team gold medal in Antalya went to China, who beat Italy, 5-1. The USA put on probably the best display of the day, averaging 58 points a set in a 6-2 victory over Ukraine for bronze.

The third stage of the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place on 20-26 May in Antalya, Turkey.