Ben Thompson wins world crown in compound men’s open event at para championships

The USA’s Ben Thompson beat Turkish archer Murat Turan, 146-135, to win the compound men’s open gold medal and his first world title at the 2019 World Archery Para Championships in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

“Just numb. I’m just completely numb, it’s just an incredible feeling. It really is,” said a speechless Ben after collecting his medal.

Thompson was the best archer in the arena throughout all of Saturday’s W1 and compound finals. While others seemingly struggled with the conditions, the 36-year-old returning bronze medallist looked comfortable.

His arrows landed in the middle, too.

He dropped his third and ninth arrows into the nine – but through 14 arrows, that was all that escaped the 10-ring. And his 30s in the second and fourth ends made a convincing case that Thompson deserved the world title.

As did the scoreline. With an arrow to spare, Thompson already had the title, 138-135. He flung his last arrow wide left in the eight. It didn’t matter.

“I was a little quick on it. It’s hard to black out. I knew kind of where the match was and so that last shot, instead of waiting I got a little impatient,” he explained.

Thompson took the match, 146-135, and by doing so secured the USA a third spot in the compound men’s open competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. (The world champion’s nation has its maximum quota increased by one.)

His USA teammate Matt Stutzman came third after defeating Rakesh Kumar of India, 142-136. Stutzman finished the match with an emphatic, impressive 30.

The 2019 World Archery Para Championships take place on 3-9 June in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.