Korea wins fifth consecutive recurve mixed team title in ’s-Hertogenbosch

Korea’s Kang Chae Young and Lee Woo Seok beat Gabriela Bayardo and Sjef van den Berg of the Netherlands in straight sets, 6-0, to win gold and the nation’s fifth recurve mixed team world title in a row since the event was introduced to the Hyundai World Archery Championships in 2011.

“It was a fantastic experience for me because the Netherlands had all the stands full and cheering on them, but it was nice that when we were going to shoot, they stayed quiet and let us shoot our arrows calmly,” said Woo Seok.

“This is a step for the next Olympic Games. I’m happy with the mixed team gold medal but it’s not all, it’s just a step.”

First seed Korea scored two sets of 39 and one of 36 points. The Netherlands shot 36, 38 and 34. Korea took the match, 6-0.

“I’m really happy, I think we did all we could, and we shot well but Korea proved stronger,” said Gaby.

Gaby and Sjef’s silver was the Netherland’s only recurve medal at its home world championships.

Mauro Nespoli and Vanessa Landi of Italy upset second seed Chinese Taipei, represented by Lei Chien-Ying and Tang Chih-Chun, to the recurve men’s team bronze medal in four sets, 5-3.

With one arrow to go, Italy needed to shoot a nine to win – and for a seven from Taipei, which needed to be measured, not to be upgraded. It wasn’t.

“Vanessa was sure it was a seven but I thought better to wait and when the judge said Italy won the match, we were very happy and excited,” said Mauro. “We didn’t start so well but we remembered that we came here to shoot strong and that we were capable. We make it in the last two ends, and it was amazing.”

Next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo will be the first to feature a recurve mixed team competition, bringing the total number of gold medals available to five.

The 2019 Hyundai World Archery Championships take place on 10-16 June in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.