Danish World Archery Champion Stephan Hansen beat former world number one PJ Deloche, from France, in the compound men’s final in Shanghai to take his first ever individual Hyundai Archery Cup stage podium, and gold, in an outstanding 15-arrow performance. He won the match 149-143.
“It was really nice finally to get on the podium in a World Cup. I’ve shot really good the last couple of years in World Cups and I just never had the last little bit of luck to make the podium. I always do really well in championships but not in World Cups,” said Hansen.
The Dane was on point from beginning to end in the gold medal match.
He started with 30 in the first end, then continued with a 29 – the only end where he missed the 10-ring, once – before shooting three perfect 30s over the last three ends to take the match.
“I’ve finally gotten all matches to work out early, I shot pretty good in all matches. I had a tough one against Mike and I shot a 10 to win, but I’m just really happy that everything turned out as it did here and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season, as this is only the beginning,” he added.
A four-time World Archery Champion – one as a senior and three as a junior – Stephan had won multiple medals in the mixed team and men’s team events on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit but never made it to the final four in individual competition.
“I totally didn’t expect to shoot this good; I had a good indoor season and a good start of outdoor but it’s still different going to a new competition. A new competition is always different and you never know how it’s going to turn out,” he added.
“My qualifying wasn’t the best but this time everything worked out and I’ve really looked forward to the world championships in Mexico. It’s going to be a long season but it’s going to be nice.”
PJ Deloche, who made his comeback in Shanghai after a two-year hiatus due to personal reasons, took silver.
He was asked to remove his binoculars by the official after entering the field of play and, after shooting and training with them strapped over his shoulder, explained afterwards that it affected his balance. He never got settled in the match.
The bronze medal match saw Australia’s Pat Coghlan defeating the top-seeded man, Reo Wilde, by one point, 144-143.
“I’m feeling ecstatic,” said Pat. “It’s great after, I think, I looked on the website of World Archery and it said it had been seven years [since my last medal] so, I’m really elated and really happy. I respect Reo and he’s a great guy. I’ve been shooting with him for years. There’s certainly respect because he’s such a great archer.”
“I decided about six months ago that I really wanted to have a go at this season and so I’ve been putting in a lot of time and effort. So I’m really happy to come away with the bronze."
"I’ve got a little boy who’s severely autistic. He’s seven now so it’s challenging for everyone at home to look after him and for me to get my training done so that I can get here, so I’m really blessed that everything’s gone so well,” Patrick added.
The first stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 16 to 21 May in Shanghai, China.
