Colombia’s compound women team win 2017 World Champion crown

Sara Lopez, Alejandra Usquiano and Nora Valdez of Colombia beat India’s Lily Chanu Paonam, Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Trisha Deb to claim their nation’s second-ever World Archery Champion title in the compound women’s team event at the 2017 World Archery Championships in Mexico City.

“I think our hearts are going to jump of our bodies,” said Alejandra. “It’s a huge happiness to give our country this new medal, a world medal and in such a beautiful country.”

Colombia, who landed only six arrows out of the 10-ring, took a three-point lead, 58-55, after the first six arrows and never let go. The match finished 234-228 in the Colombians’ favour.

Lopez, Usquiano and Valdez scored a combined 2065 points in qualification, beat Canada in the first round, South Africa in the quarters and first seed Korea in the semis.

“Although I lost my most wanted medal in individuals, we won this one and I think everything arrives in the right moment, when you deserve it, so this medal is hope for us to be where we used to be,” said three-time Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion Lopez.

“We’re very happy and sure we’ll continue like this in the future.”

Korea – represented by Song Yun Soo, So Chaewon and Choi Bomin – took bronze over Germany, 235-227.

“Even though I’m happy that we won bronze, at the end of every competition, I think there are always some regrets,” said Choi, a former recurve archer and team world champion in that discipline.

“Our goal was gold medals in both men’s and women’s teams. I’m sad that we weren’t able to accomplish that.”

The 2017 Hyundai World Archery Championships run 15-22 October in Mexico City, Mexico.