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Lopez and Colombia celebrate pairs gold in Antalya

23 avril 2022

Antalya, Turkey

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The compound mixed team medallists of Antalya 2022

Germany’s women, India’s men and Colombia’s mixed pair won the compound team events at the first stage of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup.

The morning session in Antalya saw the legendary Sara Lopez give herself an early birthday present ahead of her special day tomorrow, taking compound mixed team gold with partner Daniel Munoz.

The Colombian pair eventually squeezed ahead of the Slovenian duo of Toja Ellison and Aljaz Matija Brenk, 157-156.

“We both had fun, but it was really stressful because it was very close until the end,” said Lopez after the clash. “We wanted to show the level that we can shoot and we both shot incredible. I’m so glad that the medal went to Colombia.”

The level of quality shown in the match – which was a pseudo-rematch of the compound women's title bout at last year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup Final – was on clear display in the temporary arena next to Konyaalti beach. The teams dropped just two points in the first 24 (of 32) arrows and went into the last end dead square, 119-119.

The nerves began to show in the fourth with both Lopez and Munoz hitting 9s with their final two arrows – but with Slovenia registering an 8 and 9 it was enough for the reigning world champions, Colombia, to take the match.

“It’s amazing as last year didn’t start as planned and this year seems different,” said Lopez. “I’m getting to where I want to be, both score and technique-wise. It gives us a lot of energy for the rest of the World Cups.”

Croatia's Amanda Mlinaric and Domagoj Buden won compound mixed bronze after defeating India 157-156. “Our teamwork is finally starting to pay off,” said Mlinaric. "We’ve been a mixed team for a few years now and we’re finally starting to reach the medal matches.”

In the opening match of the day, the first gold medal of the new season went to the German compound women's team, who upset host nation Turkey, 228-224. The medal is Germany’s first-ever in this event in the 16-year history of the international circuit.

The team started strongly, shooting a 58 against Turkey’s 55 and never looking back.

“We’re a new team and this week was the first time we shot together,” explained Germany's Carolin Landesfeind. "We didn’t have a lot of practice but it all came together. It was a World Cup [gold medal match] and our first final together so we were all pretty nervous. We were all good today, nobody stepped out of line and it worked really well.”

Despite losing on home turf, Turkey’s Ayse Bera Suzer was happy with second place at the first major of the year.

“It’s really good to get our first medal of the season," she said. “It’s just the start. We wanted to shoot better but it just didn’t happen and it turned out this way today. We’re happy with the silver medal and want to continue our form into the next tournaments. I hope this season turns out great and we’d love to go one better at some point in the season.”

India’s compound men’s team took a one-point victory over France, 232-231, to take its first title of the year. The Indian team of Rajat Chauhan, Aman Saini and Abhishek Verma were behind by three points after the first two ends (113-116), but a 60 and 59 to close turned things around.

“Even with our start – which wasn’t great – we managed to shoot our natural game and we won,” said Saini. “Mentally we were really strong today and the gold medal gives us a great confidence boost, especially for the other World Cup events.”

Estonia women and Netherlands men won bronze in the compound team events on Wednesday.

Competition in Antalya continues this afternoon with the compound individual medal matches.