USA’s perfect finish trumps Korean compound men in Shanghai

Reo Wilde, Braden Gellenthien and Kristofer Schaff scored 236 points out of a possible 240 and shot two perfect ends, including the pivotal last series, to beat Korea’s Kim Jongho, Kim Taeyoon and Choi Yonghee by a point in the compound men’s team gold medal match at the first stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai.

“Korea is tough. They are training harder and harder every event and we can see it in their scores,” said Gellenthien. “This year [in Shanghai] they had a an amazing qualification and they matched us in the gold medal and we were down a point coming into last end.”

“It was a battle and I think that they are going to be joining us and Denmark as one of the top compound countries in the world. We’re looking forward to more matches like this in the future.”

The USA men opened with a perfect 60 and took a one-point lead, but heading into the final end they were trailing by one, four total points dropped.

It was then that the strength, depth and experience of three States archers shone through. Reo shot first – and started another perfect six-arrow series to close out.

Korea couldn’t match it, shooting 58, and lost by a point.

“We are a strong team, always having each others back. Braden missed one [10], I missed two and Reo missed one, so everybody had everybody’s back. When one misses, the other two will get it,” added Schaff.

The USA men were coached by teammate Steve Anderson.

French men Seb Peineau, PJ Deloche and Jean Philippe Boulch won the compound men’s bronze medal over India, 234-232.

The first stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Shanghai, China on 23-29 April.