Sawyer Sullivan paces US under-18s to world record in Wroclaw

Sawyer Sullivan finished one point off his own world record of 714 points to lead the USA under-18 compound men’s team to a new team world record during qualifying at the 2021 World Archery Youth Championships in Poland.

The 17-year-old took the top individual seed with his score of 713, which was eight up on the closet challenger.

“I really wanted that [world record], and I knew I could get it. And I shot 60 in the previous end, I knew I needed 60 in the last end, and I got it in my head,” Sullivan said.

“I just got a little nervous and shaky in the last end. I think after my first arrow, I knew it was over, so I just tried to relax.”

When combined with Isaac Sullivan’s 699 and Nathan Zimmerman’s 695, the team total of 2107 was 16 points more than the previous world best, which was shot by Denmark.

Turkey also broke the previous record but finished 10 points behind the USA.

The under-18 compound women’s team and mixed team world records were broken in the same session.

India's Priya Gurjar, who shot 696 for individual pole, Parneet Kaur and Ridhu Senthilkumar combined for 2067 and 22 points more than the standing women’s team mark.

“I'm really happy, but I can shoot even more than I did today,” said Gurjar. “My goal is to win the world champion title and I will do my best to do that.”

India looks to be a strong favourite in the category, with Kaur picking up the third and Senthilkumar the fourth individual seeds, too.

Gurjar and Kushal Dalal paired for 1401, pipping duos from Turkey (1396) and USA (1390) to the mixed team record. The previous world best sat at 1387.

Great Britain’s James Woodgate (678) and Japan’s Sonoda Waka, the under-18 silver medallist from two years ago, took the top seeds in the under-21 recurve events during the morning qualifying session.

Woodgate competed at the Olympics in Tokyo just last month.

“I’m very satisfied with the first half, that’s the best I’ve ever shot in any competition. That was fantastic,” he said of the 345-point first 36 arrows that built his convincing lead.

“I felt sort of calmer in the second half, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing. I have some mental work to do.”

“But I’m happy with how I shot and going with that into the head-to-heads.”

Russia’s recurve men, Japan’s recurve women and Spain’s mixed pair took the top seeds in the under-21 team events.

Competition continues on Tuesday afternoon in Wroclaw with the second qualifying session.