Quotes from Qualifications

Quotes from Qualifications Delhi – 4 October 2010   Comments from Matthew GRAY (AUS), Dola BANNERJEE (IND), Naomi FOLKARD (ENG), Alison WILLIAMSON (ENG), Larry GODFREY (ENG) and others athletes following the Men's and Women's Individual Qualifications at Yamuna Sports Complex on Monday.  Recurve Rahul BANERJEE (IND) On his performance: "It was good . There was a tie with Jayanta [during the session] but I was three points higher then him [at the end of the session]. From tomorrow, there will be an elimination round which is very important." On the weather conditions: "Today, the wind direction was opposite [than in previous days]. From the last few days, it was from left to right but today, it was from right to left, totally opposite." On his main competitors: "We have tough competition from England and Malaysia."  Jayanta Talukdar (IND) On finishing second on Monday: "It feels good but tomorrow is another day and I want to give my best." On whether being world No.5 has affected his confidence or added more pressure to his performance: "Yes both, it makes me feel happy as it is my home ground and also the pressure is there. I feel confident today, I've done really good. So, I'm looking forward to tomorrow." On playing in front of his home crowd: "It feels great to play in your own country because the home cheer is there." On the weather conditions: "[The] hot is there [but] we are from India so we know the weather."   Matthew GRAY (AUS) On the competition: "Competition was very good but there was a little bit of drift due to the wind flowing in the opposite direction." "Everyone was very good and hitting the right area. I also hit the right area but missed some and that lowered my ranking." On his ranking: "Initially I  was ranked fifth as I was going good, but I am very disappointed to end as 13th."   Dola BANERJEE (IND) On the competition: "We have performed as expected. Today was just the qualification round. Tomorrow is a new beginning and it is a very vital day for us, as from tomorrow the knock-out matches will start. That will be the hard matches and we dont want to underestimate anyone. It is a very good beginning and I stood second at the end. The Indian men are also doing well. " On the medals: "We are expecting four gold medals and fourteen to sixteen total medals in Recurve and Compound." On their confidence: "I was pretty confident. A little nervous in the beginning but I ended very well." On the toughest competitors: "Competition is very tough. I think Canada and England wil be the toughest competition."   Jason LYON (CAN) On the strategy: "We played just like at home, we pretend like it's the same." On the competitors: "Jayanta [Talukdar] and Rahul [Banerjee] are the good participants from India. Australia, Britain and England are also tough competitors."   Naomi FOLKARD (ENG) On her performance: "I didn't shoot as well as I wanted to. There were patches where I shot better and patches where I didn't. But I'm fairly pleased still. The position doesn't really bother me. My ambition was just to shoot as close as I can. "The wind was carrying from the opposite direction than it was yesterday. But you can see the flags move (above the targets) and you know to aim up a bit."   Alison WILLIAMSON (ENG) On her performance: "My first half was better than my second half. After the break I lost my rhythm a bit." On how competing at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games compares to competing at five Olympic Games: "I think it's the same, really. It's our first Commonwealth Games, it's exciting and demanding. "I wouldn't be disappointed if we went into the final against India. I wouldn't be complaining. (But) the competition is more with yourself than the competitors."   Larry GODFREY (ENG) On the Qualifications: "It was pretty good. We had some moments in there where I suffered from the heat. Man, it was hot out there. "It's getting stronger and stronger, and I'm quite confident. Hopefully there will be a nice little medal." On his physical condition: "The last few days I have had a bit of Delhi Belly, so it was a bit of touch and go. It was Amy [Oliver] and I who got it." On the Union Jack pattern painted on the fingernails of his right hand: "Amy [Oliver] did it. What can I say, I'm quite comfortable with my sexuality."   Simon TERRY (ENG) On his performance: "(I) made a few mistakes. I recovered a little bit in the end, but I am disappointed." On his main rivals: "I am going to take every match as it comes. The Indians are so strong, they are the ones to beat." On the weather conditions: "The wind was very tricky, drifiting a little bit. It got sweaty out there, especially on the finger tips." On the Commonweath Games opening ceremony: "I enjoyed it but lost a few litres because it was really warm there [Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]."   Deepika KUMARI (IND) On the weather conditions: "It  [the weather conditions] helped, there was a rain forecast but there has been no rain since we arrived." On her main rivals: " England are going to give us the biggest fight. " On her performance during the qualification rounds: " I am feeling really good, its only the ranking round [so] hopefully we will do well in the championship round as well." Compound   Nichola SIMPSON (ENG) On being ranked fourth during the qualifying round: "Fourth is not too bad. I had a slow start and I had one bad end, so I've got to be happy with the result." On her main rivals in the Compound Team event: "We've said that all along, that Canada have the strongest squad."    Lucy O'SULLIVAN (JEY) On her performance: "I could have done slightly better. The last time I shot I did very well [but] this is a great opportunity at the Commonwealth Games to compete with world class archers." On her health: "On Monday I had some kidney problems so I was worrying about my health. But on Wednesday I managed to get better."   Nicky HUNT (ENG) On her experience of the Games so far: "It's a fantastic competition, and the venue is also good. On coming out of the qualifications ranked second and on her chances of winning a medal: "I am feeling confident."   Liam GRIMWOOD (ENG) On the lead-up to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games: "I did some of the international tournaments, 2009 was good for me. It's really excellent in terms of representing my country and I am looking forward to continuing with competing.  Christopher WHITE (ENG) On the different factors that affected his performance: "The wind was calm. The weather did not bother me at all." "I was doing well initially but in the middle of the session I could not shoot perfectly. But all the same there was not much pressure, especially as this is the qualifying round. But I am looking forward to the rest of the Games." On the opening ceremony: "It was great, especially the music and dance was enjoyable."   Robert TIMMS (AUS) On his performance: "Pretty good, I was ranked first in the first half. The main people to beat here will be South Africa, England and New Zealand."   Chinna SRITHER (IND) On his performance: "It was average. In the elimination rounds we will do better, and we will definitely win medals."   And much more info here !   GNS Commonwealth Games Edited by World Archery Communication