Prieels converts record qualifying into individual title at Roma Archery Trophy

Sarah Prieels, who broke the compound women’s world record for the indoor ranking round yesterday, beat Amanda Mlinaric, 148-147, in the final of the 2019 TRUBall/Axcel Roma Archery Trophy.

“It’s a good weekend. I’m satisfied with how I managed the final even though I shot a couple of nines. This was my best match of the day and I’m happy,” said Prieels.

The 29-year-old also defeated world champion Natalia Avdeeva in the semifinals. She averaged more than 147 points a match during eliminations.

Dave Cousins, Marco Galiazzo and Kang Chae Young won the other three championship categories in Rome.

Cousins, who won the outdoor world championships in 1999, took his first individual title at an international target tournament in a decade.

He opened his final against Valerio Della Stua with a 30 and closed it with two more perfect ends. It allowed him to survive a wobble in the middle of the match that saw Dave shoot four straight nines and take gold, 145-143.

“In 25 years as a pro, I’ve never been so nervous during matchplay due to all the great champions here in Rome,” said Cousins. “I’m really happy to be in Italy… and celebrate this gold medal here.”

The recurve finals featured world numbers ones Kang Chae Young and Brady Ellison.

Facing European Games Champion Tatiana Andreoli, Kang needed a 10 with her final arrow to win the match in regulation. But she shot a nine.

Both archers hit 10s with their tiebreak arrows – but the Korean Hyundai Mobis professional’s landed closer to the middle.

“My opponent shot very well and this made me a little nervous,” said Chae Young. “But I was quick to put the last arrow closer to the centre – and I’m satisfied.”

Reigning World Archery Champion Brady Ellison was averaging 29.6 points a set in matchplay in Rome as he stepped into the arena to face Athens 2004 Olympic Champion Marco Galiazzo for gold.

But while Ellison opened with a pair of 30s, it was Galiazzo that found his groove.

After four sets, the Italian archer was 5-3 up. Marco matched Brady, who shot his fourth nine of the final to open the last, to take gold, 6-4.

“I took advantage of some mistakes of my opponent,” said Galiazzo. “I am very happy to have won here in Rome. It’s always a pleasure to win in your own country and on live television.”

The TRUBall/Axcel Roma Archery Trophy also held finals for the non-championship barebow and longbow categories.

Cinzia Noziglia and Fredrik Lundmark won the barebow events; Iuana Bassi and Mikhail Poddevalin became longbow champions.

The elite, open and team rankings for the 2020 Indoor Archery World Series are expected to be updated on Monday. Archery’s indoor tour returns in the new year for the Sydney Indoor Festival on 10-12 January.

The third event of the 2020 Indoor Archery World Series was the TRUBAll/Axcel Roma Archery Trophy on Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 December 2019.