Mirca, Olaru secure Moldova’s first World Cup medal by making mixed team final

Alexandra Mirca and Dan Olaru beat Elena Tonetta and Mauro Nespoli of Italy in the recurve mixed team semifinals, 5-1, to make Moldova’s first-ever gold medal match on the Hyundai Archery World Cup at the fourth stage of the circuit in 2019 in Berlin, Germany.

“It was very exciting! We are so happy, and we have no words to describe our feelings,” said Mirca.

The Moldovan pair took an early lead in the semifinal, scoring 36 points to Italy’s 35 in the first set. Like it has been all week, the Berlin field was windy – and two sets of 34 from Mirca and Olaru were enough to win the match, 5-1.

Moldova has never had a medallist in the history of the Hyundai Archery World Cup. Dan and Alexandra are guaranteed at least silver in Berlin.

“It was hard because it was windy and we needed to shoot in between the six and 10, but it was the same for everyone,” said Mirca. “This is the first time we are going for gold, so we are just happy.”

Moldova beat third seed China, 5-1, and then host nation Germany, 6-2, to make the semifinals.

For gold, they face first seed Korea, represented by first-time senior international An San and London 2012 Olympic Champion Oh Jin Hyek.

The duo defeated Croatia, Turkey and India to make Korea’s second recurve mixed team final of the year. Kim Woojin and Kang Chae Young won gold in Medellin; Choi Misun and Lee Woo Seok finished third in Shanghai.

The fourth stage of the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place on 1-7 July in Berlin, Germany.