Italian pair Eleanora Sarti and Alberto Simonelli broke the matchplay world record during compound open mixed team eliminations at the 2017 World Archery Para Championships in Beijing, China with a score of 158 out of a possible 160 points, one more than the previous mark.
“We did our best and it’s beautiful,” said Sarti. “It is really a beautiful feeling, but there’s a lot left to happen.”
The 157-point record was matched by Iran in the first round before the Italian duo beat it in the quarterfinals.
Sarti and Simonelli then lost to Russia, 154-148, in the semifinals. They will face Great Britain’s John Walker and Phoebe Pine in the bronze medal match in Beijing.
Lin Yueshan and Cao Hanwen of China owned the previous world record, which was set at the Donaueschingen 2015 World Archery Para Championships.
Simonelli and Sarti had the record once before, when the pair scored 155 at the Dutch Para Archery Tournament in 2015. Both are ranked top in their respective categories and arrived in Beijing as defending World Archery Para Champions from Donaueschingen.
“These competitions always have a fantastic feeling and I love being a part of it,” said Simonelli.
Italy also owns the able-bodied and open world record for the 16-arrow 50-metre mixed team match courtesy Marcella Tonioli and Federico Pagnoni, who shot a perfect-160 during the Hyundai Archery World Cup stage in Antalya in 2016.
The 2017 World Archery Para Championships run 12-17 September in Beijing, China.
