Roman sets up Lockdown Knockout semifinal against 2016 Olympic teammate
London 2012 Olympic medallist Aida Roman beat Turkey’s Yasemin Anagoz, 7-1, in the second Lockdown Knockout quarterfinal to set up a semi against one of her teammates at the last Olympics.
Gaby Bayardo, who knocked out Casey Kaufhold on Saturday, represented Mexico at Rio 2016 but has since relocated to the Netherlands.
The pair will shoot for a place in the final of World Archery’s remote international tournament on Thursday 18 June.
“I feel very good, very happy. I was a bit nervous but I’m enjoying this event,” said Roman, after her quarterfinal win. “This tournament is unique and the system that’s been created is very interesting. Even if you’re losing you have an opportunity to take a risk and shoot for 12 points.”
The recurve version of this Lockdown Knockout has introduced a new triangular target that has a small white dot in the red rings of the top spot. Archers have to declare if they want to shoot it.
Aida didn’t attempt the dot during her first match. She didn’t need to.
The 2014 World Archery Indoor Champion opened with a perfect 30, followed up with two sets of 29 points and started the fourth with two 10s.
Anagoz, the reigning European Champion, had shot two nines in a must-win set.
She had no choice but to go for the 12. It was the second time in the match she’d try it. And, ultimately, the second time she’d miss the tiny, 15mm-wide ring.
It left Roman needing only a hit to advance and she hit an eight.
Although Anagoz’s target looks loose, it’s largely because of those two attempts on the white dot. The level was high and the contest tight between these two successful international athletes.
“It was a really amazing opportunity to be a part of this,” said Yasemin. “For a long time, I haven’t been in a competition and I really miss competing.”
With the women’s semifinal set, the competition moves to the men’s side of the draw.
Steve Wijler will face Brady Ellison on Monday 15 June and then top seed Crispin Duenas will take on Bernardo Oliveira on 16 June. Both matches will be streamed live across World Archery’s digital platforms at 17h00 CET.
The Lockdown Knockout is archery’s first remote international tournament.
