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Valencia thrives in tough conditions to qualify ahead of Korean trio

01 août 2023

Berlin, Germany

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Alejandra Valencia tops recurve women’s qualifying in Berlin.

Alejandra Valencia was pleased with how she adjusted to testing conditions qualifying as the top seed in the recurve women’s event at the Hyundai Archery World Championships in Germany.

The 28-year-old has helped Mexico to two team silver medals in the past and shot 675 from a possible 720 – a total matched by Korea’s Lim Sihyeon – amid wind and rain in Berlin.

“I feel happy with the results, especially after the weather conditions,” Valencia said. “There are things I need to continue working on, of course, but even more so because more things will come out once we are in individual matches.”

“For now, I have a clear picture of what I did well and what I did wrong.”

Her final position did not matter to her in the moment and she was not even aware of it until the second to last round when someone told her she was tied at first place.

“I was focused on what I had to do and paying attention to the weather,” the Mexican archer explained.

Lim arrived in the German capital fresh from winning back-to-back Hyundai Archery World Cup events and continued her good form.

Her performance formed part of a strong opening day for the Korean contingent; Kang Chae Young qualified third, three points behind Lim, with reigning Olympic champion An San in fourth on 666.

“My teammates and I are always communicating and doing our best when training,” Lim said. “We haven’t had any issues even after coming to this competition venue. We’re doing well together.”

“I just want to do my absolute best and that’s what I’ll do for the remainder of this competition.”

Alejandra Valencia with Lim Sihyeon and Kang Chae Young

Two Brits will join Valencia and the Korean trio in heading automatically into the third round, with Penny Healey (664) in fifth and Bryony Pitman edging out Kirstine Danstrup Andersen in a shoot off for eighth after both finished on 657.

“I’m happy with how I finished,” Healey said. “I did a few shots that I have to improve on, but it was a good outcome and I’m looking forward for the rest of the week.”

“I think the wind at times was very tricky so I’m definitely looking for that.”

“On the last end, the weather changed so I’m trying to keep up with the weather conditions. That is going to be a big help for the rest of the week.”

Completing the top eight were Indonesia’s Diananda Choirunisa and Czech ace Marie Horackova, who used the wet conditions to her advantage.

“I don’t care about the weather so I shot pretty nice,” she said. “I kind of like wet weather because it is challenging, it is not just about you and the bow, but also something else so it is more interesting.”

“I was hoping for the top eight and I made it so I am happy. It will be challenging in the continuing days but I am really looking forward to mixed teams and we will see what happens.”

Of the home contenders, Michelle Kroppen and Katharina Bauer qualified next to each other in 12th and 13th, while Casey Kaufhold led the American contingent by finishing in 21st.

“I just tried my best not to get frustrated,” Kaufhold said. “It is easy to start to get angry when the arrows aren’t grouping as well because of wind and rain. I just tried to stay happy and push through.”

Competition in Berlin continues with team eliminations on Wednesday.