Lopez, Hansen top scorers over Wroclaw compound qualifying

Colombia’s Sara Lopez and men’s reigning World Archery Champion Stephan Hansen, of Denmark, topped the compound 72-arrow 50-metre ranking round at the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, securing pole positions for the elimination seedings and World Games records.

Lopez scored 707 out of a possible 720 points, three more than second-ranked Sarah Sonnichsen, with Linda Ochoa-Anderson coming in third on 700.

“The first half was good but it could have been better. I had some silly mistakes,” said Lopez, the women’s world record holder over the distance. 

“I could have taken more time to think more about each arrow but I didn’t. I tried to control that in the second half and I did, although I had two small mistakes and let the wind take the arrows.”

Lopez scored 352/360 for the first 36 arrows, 355/360 for the second.

Stephan Hansen dropped four points in total, two in each half, for 716. The world number one pipped world number two Mike Schloesser to the top seed by two points. France’s Dominique Genet ranked third with 711.

“It’s fun to be here. I never shot a World Games before. The weather has been perfect. Shooting was easy, I had no struggles with anything and just shot,” said Stephan.

Hansen and Schloesser, now the top two men’s seeds, were the favourites arriving in Wroclaw.

“It would be fun [to shoot the final against Mike]. We had a good final in Salt Lake, so it would be pretty interesting to shoot against each other again,” added Hansen. Schloesser won their clash at the most recent Hyundai Archery World Cup stage in a shoot-off.

Hansen and Sonnichsen' 1420 seeded first in the mixed team competition, Lopez and Camilo Cardona second and Mexico’s Ochoa-Anderson and Rodolfo Gonzalez third.

Soundbites

Sarah Sonnichsen, Denmark on not facing Lopez until the final: “That’s the plan! That’s the plan every time: do not shoot shoot against Sara until the gold final.”

Mike Schloesser, Netherlands on his second-seeded round: “I didn’t shoot as closed as I’m used to, so I’m not really happy. Scores are good so I guess I’ll still take it.” 

Kris Schaff, USA on climbing the ranking list: “Started a little bit shaky in the first few ends, but after that 15-minute break, things were better for me.”

Linda Ochoa-Anderson, Mexico on her third-ranked score: “I’m very happy because it’s been a while since I shot 700 or more at an international event and I made it here at the World Games.”

Reo Wilde, USA on seeding eighth in the men’s list with 706: “I shot good, had two bad ends. I shot a 56 and a 57; if I’d shot 59, there’s five points and I’m at 711, I’d be really happy with that but I’m really happy with what I shot.”

The compound target archery competitions at the 2017 World Games run 29/30 July in Wroclaw, Poland.

People
Competitions