Gibson makes history, Schloesser unstoppable in Antalya

Great Britain’s Ella Gibson and the Dutch world number one Mike Schloesser have won the compound titles at the first stage of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey – and booked their places in Tlaxcala for the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in October.

Gibson became the first British archer in 10 years to reach the gold medal match at a stage of the international circuit and the first in 12 years to win individual gold when she defeated 2013 Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion Alejandra Usquiano, 147-145.

“It’s amazing, I still can’t really believe it if I’m honest,” said the 21-year-old, who was runner up at the Europeans last season. “It wasn’t in my plans for this year. I was thinking if it happens, great, if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t.”

“I did not expect to get there [the World Cup Final] after one stage that’s for sure. I thought if I were to qualify then I would scrape through with decent performances from all the World Cups rather than just one stage, but I’m happy it turned out this way instead.”

Estonia’s Lisell Jaatma defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chen Yi-Hsuan (149-146) in their third-place clash, to record her second bronze of the event following her compound women’s team medal earlier this week.

“Two bronzes is pretty good,” she said directly after her individual victory. “Those two are my first medals so to get them here for the first time is really special. It means so much. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet but I know everyone will be really happy. My mum is here so I can’t wait to tell my dad back home.”

Schloesser, the reigning circuit champion, a three-time winner of the tour and the incumbent world number one, defeated surprise finalist Adrien Gontier, 148-142, in the compound men’s final and shows no signs of slowing down his form from last year.

In 2021, he seeded top and finished on the podium at all three Hyundai Archery World Cup stages. At the very first time of asking this season, he reminded his competitors of the same intent, seeding top and now winning in Antalya.

“t’s very important to start off at the right pace for the season,” he said. “I’ve been putting a lot of hard work in and seeing it pay off definitely means a lot. The level I shot today was way more than the elimination matches, and I was happy to see that level come out today.”

“I always want to defend my title and to get that ticket at the first stage is very relieving and satisfying.”

It will not come as a relief for the French pair of Gontier, the 59th seed, and eventual bronze medallist Jean Philippe Boulch, who Schloesser beat in the semifinals arena, with Gontier admitting divine intervention may be the only way to knock Mister Perfect off his pedestal at the top.

“Against Mike, you know you have to hit around 150 and pray a little bit,” said Gontier about losing the final. “It is disappointing to lose, but it is still a silver medal which I’m very happy with.”

Competition in Antalya continues and concludes tomorrow with the recurve medal matches.

Podiums: Antalya 2022

Check full results on the World Archery website.

Compound men

1. Mike Schloesser, Netherlands
2. Adrien Gontier, France
3. Jean Philippe Boulch, France

Compound women

1. Ella Gibson, Great Britain
2. Alejandra Usquiano, Colombia
3. Lisell Jaatma, Estonia