Top 5: Best photos from the third stage of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup

The third stage of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup took place in France last week. The city of light, Paris, hosted more than 350 archers from around the world.

After a full week of action, a further three more archers booked their tickets for the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Mexico.

Marcus D’Almeida, Utano Agu and Nicolas Girard were added to the list of those already-qualified: Mike Schloesser, Bryony Pitman, Miguel Alvarino Garcia, Ella Gibson, Choi Misun, Kim Woojin and Kim Yunhee. 

After guiding us through his top five snaps from Antalya and Gwangju already, World Archery photographer Dean Alberga returns to take us through five significant images he captured from Paris.

If you like the selection, check the full photo albums on the event page – Paris 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup – on the World Archery website.

1) Stadium look

I have been to many venues worldwide for competitions but I love the ‘old’ stadium feel. I don’t want to get all romantic here, but that feeling is difficult to describe. It just gives it a more sporting feeling than shooting in an open field.

Of course, it would be great if the stands were filled during the qualifications, but that doesn’t really bother me.

2) Disbelief/belief

I love the reaction of some shooters after they did what seemed impossible or unexpected. The expression of Britain’s Penny Healey says it all: “Did I just do that?”

This last shot of the match against Olympic Champion An San sprung Penny into the finals fours into the quarterfinals – and ultimately the recurve women’s final four in the French capital. Unfortunately for her, she finished just off the podium in fourth, but it was still a stellar performance from the 17-year-old.

3) Who’s more excited?

Most coaches and athletes have a tight relationship. Sometimes coaches are just as nervous (or perhaps even more) and just as excited when their athlete wins a match.

When Brazil’s Marcus D’Almeida shot the winning arrow for recurve men’s gold I don’t know who screamed louder – him or his coach.

I would like to give Marcus a special congratulations as this win was a long time coming. It was his first major title after a few significant second places in the past.

4) Creative

No tournament is possible without volunteers. And you can clearly see who these creative volunteers were rooting for during the elimination matches. These signs were made using the scoreboards deployed during eliminations.

The host nation’s Sophie Dodemont responded to their call. Maybe her medal was not exactly the colour the volunteers and the locals wanted, but Sophie left the grounds of the Château de Vincennes finals arena with a bronze.

5) Mister Perfect

During the first half of qualification, Mike Schloesser proved himself worthy of not only his nickname, Mister Perfect, but also of his personalised water bottle. He shot a perfect 360 out of 360. 

He could not quite duplicate that level during the second half but topped qualifying yet again after the 72 arrows – his third number one seed from three stages of the international tour this season.

Guess there is still room for improvement, eh Mike?