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Chinese Taipei dominate recurve qualification in Turkey

20 avril 2022

Antalya, Turkey

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Chinese Taipei ended recurve qualification top in both the recurve men's and women's competitions at Antalya 2022.

Having not competed on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit since pre-pandemic time, back in 2019, Chinese Taipei hit back strongly at the first stage of 2022 in Antalya today.

In the recurve men’s and women’s qualification this afternoon, Tang Chih-Chun (674) and Peng Chia-Mao (661) held their nerve in challenging conditions to play the long game and come out on top in their respective qualifying rounds on the Turkish Mediterranean coast.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve participated in international games so this time I just tried my best to give my best performance,” said Peng. “It’s been about two years since we’ve been able to compete internationally and I’m happy to be back.”

Peng’s two halves of the 72-arrow round were completely different – her first seeing a 326 to put her in fifth – but she came back strongly with a dominant 335, as the famous Antalya wind began to swirl, clear of all her rivals to secure the number one seed.

Second spot went to Italy’s European Games Champion, Tatiana Andreoli (660). “I didn’t shoot very well in our trials so I came here not very confident,” she said after qualification. “I felt that my level wasn’t stable and that I could have shot 680 or 600. We always hope that we stay in the top seed in every competition, but sometimes you are in the top three and sometimes not.”

Britain’s Bryony Pitman, now the most experienced of the GB squad in Turkey following a refresh of the squad, finished in seventh (650).

“We had our selection shoot a couple of weeks ago and it was really tough conditions, so the scores weren’t great,” explained the Tokyo 2020 Olympian. “To come here and put in a better score after making changes recently [shows they] are working and paying off.”

Like his teammate Tang, Peng also finished one clear at the top of his qualification, his 674 enough in the recurve men.

“My attitude is the same as before, just follow my team members and do my best,” said the world number 24, surely in-line for a raise after this event. “The most important thing, and our biggest strength, is team cooperation and spirit.”

Five-time Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion Brady Ellison came in third, while Ellison’s USA teammate and reigning tour title holder Jack Williams finished with a 643 to seed 67th. He was subsequently eliminated in the first round of matchplay by the ever-dangerous Nicolas D’Amour.

Tang Chih-Chuh, Chinese Taipei in action at Antalya 2022

“The result is not important,” said Chinese Taipei coach Lin Cheng-Hsien when asked about the success for his athletes today.

“It doesn’t matter if it is top one or another ranking, the most important thing is finding their range and understanding their strengths and weaknesses. I hope they will do their best and the enjoy the competition.”

Tang and Peng will join forces in the recurve mixed team event on Friday (22 April) as they go into competition top of the seedings (1335 points). The pair will also shoot in the recurve men’s and women’s team events tomorrow (Thursday 21 April).

It’s already a strong return to the circuit for Taipei – but medals would cement the statement.

The opening stage of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup marks the first time that archers on the circuit were awarded ranking points for possible qualification towards the circuit finale. The top eight seeds in each category are now awarded bonus points, which count towards the Hyundai Archery World Cup Ranking.

A number one seeding will earn an athlete eight bonus points – which Tang and Peng have earnt today – second seed is seven, third seed is six, and so on. An individual stage gold medal remains worth 25 points.

Competition in Antalya continues on Thursday 21 April with recurve team eliminations and bronze medal matches in the morning and compound eliminations in the afternoon.