Dutch duo makes second consecutive circuit final in new Olympic event

The Netherlands’ Gaby Schloesser and Sjef van den Berg have secured passage into their second consecutive gold medal match in the recurve mixed team event on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit.

Having won in Lausanne last month, the pair will go for back-to-back titles this Sunday in Paris.

“It feels very good. It’s, again, confirmation that we have a good team and can do good things,” said Sjef.

The mixed team event will make its Olympic debut next month in Tokyo.

“We obviously have Tokyo in our minds, we obviously think about the Olympic Games,” said Gaby. “But I personally feel that I’m focused on this competition. When it’s over, I will think about it in Tokyo.”

Ranked second in the world behind only powerhouse Korea, the Netherlands have to be considered a favourite for the upcoming Olympics after this run of results.

A gold medal on Sunday would only confirm that opinion.

It won’t be easy. The duo will face Indian married couple Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das in the final.

Mexico and Spain will contest bronze.

The compound mixed team gold medal match in Paris sees Russia take on Colombia, while Italy and Denmark will shoot for the third place.

Competition continues in Paris with compound eliminations on Thursday afternoon.