Tai Yu-Husan inherits recurve cadet men’s world title from Taipei teammate

Tai Yu-Hsuan beat Mexican archer Caleb Urbina in five sets, 7-3, to claim the recurve cadet men’s gold medal at the 2019 World Archery Youth Championships, becoming the second consecutive archer from Chinese Taipei to hold the title.

The previous incumbent, Tang Chih-Chun, is now 18 and competed in the junior (under 21) age group at these championships.  

“I’m very excited,” said Tai. “I was trying to be calm. I was getting all the directions from the coaches on the sidelines and I just tried to be myself, and make it just like practice.”

Tai was two set points down after shooting 27 in the first set to Urbina’s 28.

The pair split the points in the second.

While Caleb appeared to struggle, Yu-Hsuan seemed dialled in. He shot sets of 29 and 28, against his opponent’s 28 and 26, to take his first world title.

“I didn’t think I was going to perform this well, I’m very excited about the results,” said the 16-year-old. “It’s a good first step for me and gives me more motivation to compete in future international competitions.”

Tai was also part of the Chinese Taipei recurve cadet men’s team that took silver after falling to Korea in a shoot-off.

Fifth seed Urbina said he was overwhelmed by the sense of occasion and venue.

“To be honest, I’m not that happy because I was shooting much better before this match,” he said. “It’s the first time I stand on a venue like this and the nerves played me out, especially with my first arrow, my leg was shaking a lot.”

“I guess this will help me to get used to it and to perform better in the future.”

Kim Je Deok of Korea and Carlos Vaca of Mexico contested a tight recurve men’s bronze medal match. It was Kim’s last perfect set of 30 points that secured him the medal as he won, 6-4.

The 2019 World Archery Youth Championships takes place on 19-25 August in Madrid, Spain.