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Colombian compounders back in World Cup contention

24 June 2021

Paris, France

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Sara Lopez shoots during the third stage of the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Paris.

Colombia’s compound squad returned to the international circuit with a vengeance on Thursday, claiming two places in the compound women’s final four at the third stage of the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Paris, France.

Alejandra Usquiano and Sara Lopez will be joined in the Charlety Stadium arena by Slovenia’s Toja Ellison and Mexico’s Andrea Becerra on Saturday afternoon. World number one Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands then headlines a compound men’s final quartet that includes the USA’s Kris Schaff, India’s Abhishek Verma and Russia’s Anton Bulaev.

Saturday represents the last chance for compound archers to qualify for the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Yankton.

“What can I say? Paris is where the story of Alejandra Usquiano started,” said the experienced Colombian, who eight years ago won the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final held under the Eiffel Tower. “The vibes this city has and what I have with it, the memories still show up… Paris always brings me good memories.”

After missing stage two in Lausanne, Colombia’s compound women will send a second archer to Yankton alongside Nora Valdez, who won the season opener in Guatemala City. If Usquiano wins on Saturday, it will be her; if she doesn’t, it will be five-time circuit champion Lopez – on ranking points.

“We are going in with the mentality of qualifying Colombia,” Usquiano said. “That we have not only one archer but two in the final, and we hope for the best for Colombia.”

Each nation can send a maximum of two archers to the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final.

Usquiano will face Toja Ellison in her semifinal match, while Lopez – who professed a lowering of expectations entering Paris – will look to keep her hopes of a record-sixth circuit title alive when she battles Andrea Becerra on the other side of the bracket.

“If I get to go, it's amazing. If I don't, that's amazing because anyway we will have Colombian there,” said Lopez, who has struggled with an uncharacteristic bout of target panic all season. “The goal for me was to control myself, to not let the target panic come back,” she continued. “And I think I did it. So for me, it's a gold medal already because I was able to control it.“

Ellison toppled top-seed Ella Gibson of Great Britain in a tiebreak to reach the quarterfinals, while Becerra climbed from the 23rd seed after qualifying to reach the final four.

Mike Schloesser’s spot in Yankton is already secure as the stage winner from Lausanne – as is Kris Schaff, on points, as he’s making his second final four appearance of the season, having reached the semifinals in Guatemala City.

Schaff lost to the Dutchman then, falling short in a tiebreak after Schloesser scored a 10 to his nine.

He will have a chance to redeem himself when the two meet in a semifinal rematch on Saturday.

“I just came in and shot my best,” said Schaff, who was arguably the most impressive of the compound men’s field during the eliminations. “I stuck to my game, and it worked.”

The former circuit champion didn’t miss the 10-ring through nearly three matches – opening with two consecutive 150s – until the last two arrows of his quarterfinal against France’s Jean Philippe Boulch. His last two shots, though, went high-left and in the nine, meaning he needed an ace shoot-off to continue in the competition. It was nerves, he admitted afterwards.

Schaff’s total score through three winning matches today was 448 points.

World number one Schloesser’s total score through three winning matches today was 447 points.

If the pair continue at that level, Saturday’s finals are going to be a spectacle.

“Today I shot really high, and the qualification was really good as well,” Schloesser said. “So I just want to do like it did today and on the qualification day. I am going to go there, do my job and enjoy [myself].”

Mister Perfect is already unbeaten in qualification this season and has individual silver and gold from the first two Hyundai Archery World Cup stages. A third medal would arguably make this his most consistent year to date.

India’s Abhishek Verma and former European Champion Anton Bulaev of Russia will meet in the second men’s semifinal. India’s compound men last competed on the international circuit two years ago, giving Verma extra incentive to podium in France.

“The feeling is definitely good. I have been waiting for a long time to come back to such things,” he said. “Now I will do my best to win this tournament.”

Compound finals take place on Saturday in Paris. Competition continues with team eliminations on Friday.

Final fours

Archers are listed in match order, with their seed in brackets. The first two archers face each other in the first semifinal, the second two in the second semifinal.