Krutova, Hekimoglu win W1 para world titles in ’s-Hertogenbosch

Elena Krutova and Bahattin Hekimoglu won individual gold medals and world titles in the W1 competitions at the 2019 World Archery Para Championships in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

Russian archer Krutova, who was fifth at the last para worlds in Beijing, defeated Kim Ok Geum of Korea, 130-107, to claim her first individual world title.

Krutova opened the final much better than her opponent.

After two ends she had an 11-point lead. Over the next two ends, she extended her advantage to 22 points. Despite the big gap, she kept focused and shot 28 points out of possible 30 to close the final and confirm her win.

“I know it’s hard work to stay silent and quiet. But only then I can hope the shooting will be good,” she said. “I always try to concentrate all the emotions inside. It’s just about checking if everything is okay.”

Liu Jing of China took bronze. In an all-Chinese match she won, 133-127, over her teammate Chen Minyi. It was the second medal for Jing as she won gold in the mixed team event, too.

Top men’s seed Bahattin Hekimoglu of Turkey added the world title to his European crown. He beat Li Ji of China, 136-134, in the final.

“It feels amazing. I thought it would be impossible and I accomplished that. Of course, my goal is to win the Paralympics and I'm going to work on that in the future,” said Hekimoglu.

The Turkish archer shot nines for most of the match and comfortably kept ahead of his Chinese opponent.

“I was just doing my work. I didn’t think too much. I just did what I had to and maintained the gap,” he said.

World number one David Drahoninsky beat China’s Han Guifei, 133-130, in the bronze medal match.

The 2019 World Archery Para Championships take place on 3-9 June in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.