Featured athlete: Erika JONES

In view of her impressive records, it seems that an eternity has flown by since her first appearance on the professional circuit in 2006, when she was only 18. Her first great international triumph in July 2008 at the Chinese Taipei World University Archery Championships was the prelude to a fabulous career that continues to grow after each major tournament.
Erika knows very well the way to the first step of the World Cup podium, as she already won 3 individual stages between 2010 and 2011, and above all, the Istanbul Final in September 2011. That year, she also clinched the Longines Prize for Precision with a total of 304 10s. If 2012 was not as auspicious individually, she still achieved good team and mixed team victories.
This year more than ever, Erika is in the throes of realising an exceptional season. If she is still looking for a first World Cup circuit individual victory, after two defeats in final in Shanghai and Medellin, this could come at the next stage in Wroclaw beginning 19 August. She is virtually secured to participate in the Paris Final next 22 September, as she currently holds the 1st place of the World Cup ranking with 47 points, ahead of her closest contenders: Korean SEOK Ji Hyun (46) and Colombian Sara LOPEZ (40). 
She is also leading the Longines Prize for Precision which she will try to retain, and simultaneously to improve on her own record of 304 10s for a female athlete. Despite her two silver medals, Erika nonetheless heard the American national anthem playing in her honour this season, thanks first to her mixed team victory with Braden GELLENTHIEN in Shanghai, and then a gold medal win with teammates Carli COCHRAN and Brittany LORENTI win in Medellin.
In her first World Games participation that just concluded in Cali, Erika won two gold medals, one for each event in which she took part. That Sunday 28 July will remain memorable for American compound archery, as Erika JONES and Reo WILDE won the mixed team gold medal versus the Danish pair Camilla SOEMOD/Martin DAMSBO. Later on that day, JONES met again with SOEMOD in the individual final and beat her with a two point lead. WILDE also won his individual final versus Frenchman Pierre-Julien DELOCHE.
Thanks in part to this outstanding day, Erika took the world N°1 ranking versus Russian Albina LOGINOVA, whom she now dominates with about 11 points difference in the world ranking. Moreover, the Cali World Games Organising Committee selected Erika as one of the two Athletes of the day together with Mexican racquetball athlete Paola LONGORIA, who was also a gold medallist that day.
If there was a remarkable performance to add to this Colombian fortnight, Erika established a new world record at the qualifications the day before with a score of 704 points at 50 metres (2x36 arrows). The previous record of 703 points was from September 2011 and belonged to her fellow countrywoman Jamie VAN NATTA. 
What is Erika JONES still missing in the year 2013 that will always be etched in her memory? It is certain that she will be taking part at the last three major outdoor events of the season: the fourth and last World Cup stage in Wroclaw, the World Cup Final in Paris, and the World Archery Championships in Belek Antalya.
Go through the Erika JONES biography and watch the WIN&WIN Fan Reporters video shot in Medellin.
World Archery Communication