Gibson breaks own European matchplay record with 150 10X

British world number five Ella Gibson has beaten her own European record for the 15-arrow 50-metre match, subject to ratification by World Archery Europe, after shooting a perfect 150 points with 10 Xs in Meriden this weekend.

“It felt amazing to go into my last end knowing I needed 3 Xs to break it and being able to deliver that,” said Ella.

She previously held the record at 9 Xs.

An X is the tiny ring in the centre of the 80-centimetre target, which measures just four centimetres in diameter (half the size of the 10), and is used only to break ties.

The current world record, held by Linda Ochoa-Anderson, sits at 150 11X.

“I definitely think I can beat it, given time, one X at a time and one record at a time,” said Gibson. “I don’t know when but I think I’ll have it.”

It‘s a typically confident statement from the 21-year-old rising star, who’s travelling to Germany this weekend ahead of next week’s European Championships in Munich.

She finished second last year at the same event and then won the European indoor championships this February.

“I feel super nervous ahead of Munich but that isn’t much different from normal,” said Gibson.

“I get nervous before most competitions, even small ones, so it’s no surprise.”

“I still feel I have a few things to work on before I fly so I’ll be trying to do all I can before that, and then see what I can do next week,” she added.

Ella is already qualified for this year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup Final having won the season opener in Antalya. It was her first major win at the world level.

Competition at the European Championships starts with qualifying on Tuesday in Munich.

Pictures courtesy Ella Gibson/Facebook.