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Becerra knocks out reigning champion Lopez to reach last eight

3 August 2023

Berlin, Germany

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Andrea Becerra knocked out reigning champion Sara Lopez.

Andrea Becerra ensured there will be a new World Archery Champion crowned in Berlin as she knocked out Sara Lopez to on her way to securing a compound women’s quarterfinal spot.

The 16th seed from Mexico scored 144 out of a possible 150 to finish five clear of the 2021 gold medallist in biblical Berlin rain, shooting a perfect opening end on her way to causing the latest in a string of upsets at this year’s Hyundai World Archery Championships.

“I feel very happy,” Becerra said. “Today has been a very nice day for me and I’m happy to be here representing my country.”

The 23-year-old was listening to her coach to find the windows where there were less wind and she could shoot.

“My first goal is to do my technique and my process well, and enjoy. I know that with that, things will happen by themselves.”

Lopez fared better than world number one Ella Gibson, who lost out in the round of 32 to Elisa Roner – the same archer who beat her in the European Games earlier this year – in a shoot-off after they both managed totals of 143.

Sophie Dodemont heading into compound women’s elite eight at worlds.

Becerra will face Sophie Dodemont, who knocked out the number eight seed Isabelle Carpenter in another tense shoot-off.

The 49-year-old Frenchwoman had earlier overcome ninth-seeded American Alexis Ruiz in the round of 32 and will be out to cause more upsets in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

“I feel very happy,” Dodemont said. “I was focused on what I had to do, forgetting what’s happening with the wind and the rain.”

“I hope to go very far, today was very good and I hope to produce what I wish to achieve.”

Chinese Taipei’s Chen Li Ju and Türkiye’s Ipek Tomruk, the 36th and 37th seeds, will face each other in a second compound women’s quarterfinal.

Parneet Kaur and Jyothi Surekha Vennam set up an all-Indian quarterfinal with their wins over Oh Yoohyun and Mariya Shkolna respectively, with as Vennam posting the highest score in the last 16 by shooting 148.

The 27-year-old claimed silver at the last World Archery Championships in Yankton after losing out to Lopez, but now has the opportunity to go one better as the competition reaches the finals.

“I don’t feel very happy with the wind but I am very happy with the result of today,” Vennam said.

“Three Indian women are in the top eight and we will be fighting for the country to get the gold on Saturday. I’m excited and looking forward to the matches.”

Vennam and Kaur are joined in the last eight by 17-year-old compatriot and world record holder Aditi Gopichand Swami, who overcame former world number two Alejandra Usquiano with a total of 144 out of 150.

Swami will face Sanne De Laat, who edged past Meeri-Marita Paas 143-142.

Competition continues with team finals on Friday in Berlin.