60 seconds with… Sjef van den Berg

This week, it’s… Sjef van den Berg, who finished fourth at the Rio 2016 Games at his Olympic debut.

Ranked number three in the world, the 21-year-old knocked team Olympic gold medallist and 2013 World Champion Lee Seungyun to make the semifinals.

But Sjef later stumbled against Brady Ellison for the last spot on the podium...

He made the news in international media as the 'Evil-eyed' Dutchman, after he revealed a bloodshot right eye shooting in the first day of elimination at Rio.

1. If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation.

It would be so nice to be able to teleport to competitions and not having to wait in line for customs...

2. What was your favourite toy as a kid?

My favourite toy as a kid was probably my mini tractor.

It had pedals so I could cycle to places in the village on it and practice my reverse parking!

3. What is your biggest strength in archery?

I tend to be able to hit the gold even though my technique isn't always constant.

Letting down is something I barely ever do, because I feel like there's other ways to fix the faults in my form.

4. Who is your sport model?

I would have to say that it's Simon Fairweather.

Not only because of the length of his professional career impressing me, but also because he seems to be an all around great guy!

5. If you were to design your own bow, what would you call it?

Probably something like: The Boss, since it's what my name means in some languages.

6. What did you enjoy most in Rio?

I enjoyed the atmosphere and the fact that the media was interested in the archers, which gave the sport a boost again.

I also enjoyed taking the cameras out in the village with Crispin (Duenas) to take photos of places in the village.

Right image courtesy Sjef van der Berg.

7. Any equipment you change in the wind and/or rain?

In the rain I have to cover my sight pin, because I can't see the target if drops of water get in it!

8. How much weight on your stabilisers?

I have 18 ounces of weight on my front stabiliser and 11 ounces each on the sides.

9. Do you have a special dream?

I don't know how special it is, but I would love to have my own house somewhere with a garden that's big enough for a shooting range, maybe a dog running around somewhere and a classic car to restore in the garage.

Cliché, I know!

10. Will you use fat or thin arrows for indoors?

I am not going to shoot a whole lot of indoor, but I will try both Easton X23's and X10's.

Normally the X10's work better for me but the feeling of shooting a 23 arrow in the middle is more satisfying in my eyes.

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