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Shanghai 2024: Vennam, Wiener win compound titles at season opener

27 April 2024

Shanghai, China

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Nico Wiener celebrates winning in Shanghai.

Nico Wiener shot a European record in the compound men’s gold medal match to beat Priyansh and prevent an Indian clean sweep at the Hyundai Archery World Cup season opener in Shanghai, after Jyothi Surekha Vennam won the women’s event and the country dominated the morning session.

World champion in 2021, Wiener exploded after shooting his last arrow.

“The feeling is indescribable, it’s incredible. From the first shot to the last, it was like I was shooting at home. After the semifinals, I knew the pressure was off. It seemed super easy,” he said.

“I’m so thankful to my parents, my sponsors, everyone who has supported me in my journey.”

Seeded ninth in Shanghai, Wiener had upset top qualifier – and defending Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion – Mathias Fullerton with a better 10 in a tiebreak during eliminations on Thursday.

After flinging the last arrow of today’s semifinal against Yang Jaewon into the nine and surviving another shoot-off with a better 10, Nico hit cruise control.

The final was sublime. Priyansh dropped a point in the first end and, shooting his massive hinge release from his massive frame (with a rather unusual process to anchor behind his jaw), Wiener put on a show.

Nico Wiener shoots during the final in Shanghai.

The Austrian 27-year-old didn’t miss the eight-centimetre 10-ring in the 15-arrow match and only missed the four-centimetre X-ring (used to break qualifying ties and set records) twice in the first end, and once each in the second and third.

“Last year, the season was really difficult. I didn’t win anything,” he said. “So to win here is amazing. I’m so excited to be in Mexico.”

Tlaxcala will be Wiener’s first Hyundai Archery World Cup Final.

It will be Jyothi Surekha Vennam’s second after Hermosillo last year – and she beat the top-seeded archer from Mexico to secure the slot. She shouldn’t have had the chance.

Andrea Becerra had a point to lose with an arrow to go. But her last shot broke high, landed in the eight, and when Vennam put down a wide-ish nine, Becerra found an even wider one.

“It was one unlucky shot,” said Becerra. “That’s archery.”

This season of the Hyundai Archery World Cup consists of three stages rather than four – so points accrued with high finishes in Shanghai put archers in prime position to qualify for the final on ranking, if not as stage winners like Vennam and Wiener.

Competition in Shanghai concludes with recurve finals on Sunday.