Syahidah seeds top to start para world title defence in Dubai

Singapore’s Nur Syahidah Alim, who became her country’s first-ever world champion in the sport of archery three years ago, has qualified first in the compound women’s event at this week’s World Archery Para Championships in Dubai.

She was matched on a total of 680 points by Tatiana Andrievskaia, the pair leading the 36-strong field of para athletes, but the 36-year-old shot one more 10 to break the tie.

“It feels good. I’m really happy. I did my best here and I’m happy with the outcome,” said Syahidah, who has cerebral palsy.

The championship venue at the Dubai Club for People of Determination is a purpose-built para sport facility that has held many international archery events. Syahidah won when she last competed here, which was at a para world ranking tournament in early 2020.

“Shooting here is really fun. It can be a bit windy but it‘s a good challenge,” she said.

British archer Jessica Stretton, who finished second to Syahidah at the last edition of the para world championships in the Netherlands in 2019, seeded third with 674 points.

Stretton’s teammate and reigning Paralympic Champion Phoebe Paterson Pine qualified eighth.

Bair Shigaev shot 690 to pip Costa Rica’s Diego Quesada to the top seed in the compound men’s event by one point.

“It’s how I shoot normally so… so far I’m satisfied,” said Bair, who added that the wind was challenging. “Obviously I want to win these championships, but so do all the other archers.”

Shigaev is one of 16 athletes in Dubai competing under the flag of the Russian Archery Federation due to ongoing clean sport sanctions.

Two-time Olympian Jonathon Milne of Australia was the only other archer to break 680. He hit 682.

Famous ‘Armless Archer’ Matt Stutzman, who was the bronze medallist three years ago and is still searching for his first individual world crown, had his (very custom) release aid break at the start of the second half of the qualifying round, putting seven misses on his scorecard and dropping him down to the 54th seed.

He recovered in time to survive the first round of early eliminations held in the evening – which saw him drawn against teammate and Rio 2016 Paralympic Champion Andre Shelby in the second.

Their match was tied through nine arrows but Stutzman pulled ahead in the fourth end, ending up a two-point favourite and knocking out the 11th seed, 143-141, while booking himself a spot in the last 32.

“I had an equipment issue earlier today so I’m kind of coming from behind,” said Stutzman at the end of the day. “My goal is to win the whole thing – that’s what I came here to do and I’m getting my confidence back, so let’s see what happens.”

The compound archers at these world championships are classified as para athletes but use the same rules and format as in able-bodied competition.

Action continues in Dubai with compound eliminations tomorrow, starting with mixed team and doubles matches in the morning. 

Photos courtesy Yayha Essa (Dubai Club for People of Determination).

Quotes courtesy Priyanka Sharma (organising committee) and Antoni Cichy.

Top seeds: Compound women

1. Nur Syahidah Alim, Singapore – 680 39 10s
2. Tatiana Andrievskaia, Russian Archery Federation – 680 38 10s
3. Jess Stretton, Great Britain – 674
4. Oznur Cure, Turkey – 673
5. Maria Andrea Virgilio, Italy – 672

Top seeds: Compound men

1. Bair Shigaev, Russian Archery Federation – 690
2. Diego Quesada, Costa Rica – 689
3. Jonathon Milne, Australia – 682
4. Shyam Sundar Swami, India – 679
5. Ramezan Biabani, Iran – 677