Hansen and Anear take compound mixed team title in Mexico City
Though not competing in the individual event, young World Archery Champion Stephan Hansen made the trip to Mexico to compete in the mixed team competition. He paired with Erika Anear – also shooting solely in the mixed team competition – to represent the top-ranked mixed team of the year, Denmark.
Linda Ochoa and Mario Cardoso were chosen to represent their nation’s interests against the Danes. Entering the field, the Mexicans hoped to ride on a wave of success after they both won their individual first round matches some minutes before.
Fifth last year in Lausanne and third seed in Mexico, Linda beat USA archer Crystal Gauvin in her individual quarterfinal, with a solid score of 145. Mario was the real surprise of the morning. He upset top seed and world number two Mister Perfect Mike Schloesser by one point, 141-140.
Three of six compound mixed team gold medals at the Archery World Cup Final had gone to the host nation since the event was introduced to the competition in 2009.
Mexico City 2015 titled the balance in favour of the visitors.
Entering the match as the favourite after winning two stage golds in 2015, Denmark was solid. Anear and Hansen let just one arrow leak outside of the gold in their 16 shots.
Mexico trailed from the very beginning when Linda opened the match with an arrow in the red – an eight.
Just when the Mexican pair seemed to be back into the match, Mario dropped a seven to close the second end, and the match was put out of reach.
“I was really excited after my match against Mike,” Mario confessed. “For the mixed team match, Linda and I, we were both more relaxed, and it think it was obvious.”
“We still did well and we are now more than ready for what’s next in the individual semis. It's really good to have the house packed,” Cardoso added. The 4,500-seat stadium seating was all-out in its support for the Mexicans.
It was Denmark’s Erika Anear and Stephan Hansen that took the win and the 2015 Archery World Cup compound mixed team title, though, 151-144.
“The match against Mexico was a bit tough because there was so many people cheering them on,” Stephan said. “We just did all our best and all we could, and it was enough.”
Erika added that the pair came all the way to shoot just eight arrows: “So we’re all very happy with the result. We love Mexico, too, so it’s even better!
