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Aljaz Brenk and Selene Rodriguez crowned under-18 world champions

14 August 2021

Wroclaw, Poland

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Aljaz Brenk of Slovenia and Selene Rodriguez of Mexico won their compound gold medal matches in Wroclaw, Poland to be named the new under-18 world champions.

Sixth seed Brenk upset first seed, world record holder and favourite-to-win Sawyer Sullivan, 147-145, in the final.

“I just need to realise it happened. I don't know what to say, I'm so happy! I was shooting great, and every shot was clean.” said Brenk.

Both archers opened the match with 29 points. After a second perfect end of 30, the Slovenian archer took a one-point lead and never let go. He finished two up, banking his first major tournament victory.

“[This] is my first world championships, so now I need to practice for Yankton, for the world [senior] championships this year, and keep going on,” he added.

The bronze medal was taken home by another US archer.

Isaac Sullivan beat Shamai Yamrom of Israel with a better nine in a single-arrow shoot-off.

Selene Rodriguez shooting in her gold medal match.

In the under-18 women’s event, the Mexican flag raised high over the podium, courtesy of breakout performance from young compounder Selene Rodriguez.

The Mexican upset first seed Priya Gurjar of India, 139-136, to claim her first win at her first international competition.

“[I feel] very excited, it’s something I have never felt before, I have never been at a world championships before,” said Selene.

After opining with 28 points apiece, Selene took a three-point advantage over Priya in the second end that she never let go. Landing all but one of her arrows in the yellow, she confident claimed the god and her first world title.

“[It means] everything. It feels very exciting, I don’t know, I’m kinda shaking,” she added.

India’s Kaur Parneet beat Hallie Boulton of Great Britain to secure the bronze.

Under'18 compound women's team of India.

In addition to the individual medals, India collected all three available gold medals in the under-18 compound team competitions.

First, Kaur Parneet, Priya Gurjar and Ridhu Senthilkumar took a comfortable victory over Turkey, 228-216, to claim the women’s team gold.

Then, Sahil Chaudhary, Nitin Mihir Apar and Dalal Kushal beat the USA, 233-231, to take the men’s team title.

And, finally, Gurjar and Dalal secured India’s third under-18 team gold medal, shooting 155 points to take a three-point victory over the USA in the mixed team event. As well as adding to India’s podium tally, it brings Gurjar’s total haul to three medals – two gold and a silver.

Competition continues in Wroclaw with the compound under-21 finals this afternoon.