Best in Shanghai? Three who performed on the return to China

Marcus D’Almeida was the only returning winner at the second stop of this year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup – which brought the international circuit’s return to the Chinese city of Shanghai for the first time since before the pandemic.

The Brazilian world number one booked a ticket to his second-straight circuit finale with the victory.

He won the first stage of his career last year in Paris – and has, just before the world championships and the start of qualifying for the next Olympics, which will take place in the French capital, confirmed his status as a contender.

But was he the most impressive archer in Shanghai? Here are my top three…

3. Kang Chae Young, Korea

Eight years ago, the now-26-year-old made her international debut in Shanghai, winning three gold medals and heralding her arrival as a stalwart on the Korean women’s squad for the best part of the current decade.

She was the top seed this year in China, scoring the best qualifying round – 671 points – of any recurve on the field, and one more than the number one man, Brady Ellison.

Impressive under the torrential rain in Yuanshen Stadium.

Kang left Shanghai with three medals again – but this time, just two golds. The third was silver, because…

2. Lim Sihyeon, Korea

…Kang lost the recurve women’s final to teammate Lim Sihyeon, who was herself making her international debut at the competition.

The recurve women’s final four had a somewhat Korean-national-championship flavour. The quartet was all dressed in white (or blue, the team’s second colour). But it wasn’t Olympic Champion An San who emerged top, nor Choi Misun, nor Kang – but the newcomer, Lim.

1. Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar, India

Having shot just 690 points to seed 33rd in Shanghai, the 19-year-old impressed during matchplay at only his second stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup.

He upped his arrow average from 9.58 to 9.88 in matchplay, shooting four 149-point matches, including in a final win over reigning world number one and defending Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion Mike Schloesser. 

With his maiden victory on the international circuit, Prathamesh jumped up to 14th in the new Sanlida World Archery Ranking list that was published on Monday.