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Schloesser, Gellenthien top compound qualifying at World Games

8 July 2022

Birmingham, USA

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Mike Schloesser and Tanja Gellenthien have seeded top after compound qualification completed this morning at the World Games in Birmingham, USA.

Schloesser and Canadian archer Chris Perkins both shot 713 out of a possible 720 points for the 72-arrow 50-metre round, but with his 38 Xs (compared to 25 from Perkins) the world number one ensured his unblemished top seed streak in 2022 would continue for yet another event.

“I feel like I shot good, I had some sloppy mistakes but I handled the weather very good and I’m happy about that,” said Schloesser in relation to his performance in a hot and humid morning session.

“The best archers are here, the best people to qualify are here. I knew before it was going to be a tough match. You get commentary [on] every round how you’re standing, so you have some knowledge about what’s happening.”

The commentary he’s referring to is on-field announcements provided by Olympian-turned-talent Crispin Duenas.

Competition turnaround is quick, with the eliminations starting just a couple of hours after qualification finishes and Schloesser is looking to continue his form as he seeks his first World Games medal at the second attempt.

“Same as always, show my best again and see if it’s going to be enough this time,” he said about competition this afternoon. “I feel like my shooting was good so I’m not going to change anything about it. Just keep doing when I’m doing.”

Tanja Gellenthien at the World Games 2022

Another person shooting well is Denmark’s Tanja Gellenthien, who qualified top in the compound women’s event. She’s almost shooting at home – as one of three archers on the field to relocate to the USA to be with their partners (alongside Toja Ellison and Linda Ochoa-Anderson, who was leading the line at the halfway mark in the round).

The Dane shot at 708 points, two clear of Colombia's world number one Sara Lopez – the reigning World Games Champion – and Slovenia’s Ellison, who tied on 706 points with 58 10s and 29 Xs and needed to go to a coin toss to decide who seeded second. Lopez had the luck this time.

“It is very satisfying. You always work really, really hard so it is amazing when it comes together in the tournament, too,” said Gellenthien, who now lives in Kentucky with US compounder and husband Braden.

“I had a really good practice yesterday and I knew where I wanted to be and this is right with it so I am happy. I know I can put some good arrows together so I just have to do it again.”

Ellison, who is shooting for Slovenia, but lives in the USA with husband Brady, was back in action again after a successful but limited 2022 so far.

“I started with a 56 and I finished my first half with a 57. I had some work to do in between and after [but] I finished strong, I am feeling good, my shot timing was really good today and I had fun,” said the 29-year-old. “I just started maybe a little bit weak and then continued doing my process. I know I am shooting good and I know I am ready. Sometimes a nine can happen. You just recover from that as soon as possible and shoot a 10 because you know you can.”

Despite neither Abhishek Verma (707, ninth seed) nor Jyothi Surekha Vennam (702, sixth seed) making the top five qualifiers individually, they combined to seed first as a mixed pair. An encouraging start for an Indian team tipped as one of the favourites for the doubles title in Birmingham.

Competition at the World Games continues with compound eliminations on Friday afternoon.