Long distances done for Juniors

Qualifications are on their way at the Youth World Championships 2008 in Kundu-Antalya (TUR). The juniors took the field this morning to shoot the long distances (36 arrows at 90 and 70 meters for the boys and at 70 and 60 meters for the girls). Massimiliano MANDIA (ITA) led the Recurve Junior Men and Inna STEPANOVA (RUS) the women category. Brendan WALLACE achieved 691 points in Compound Junior Men, and Kendal NICELY (USA) led the young ladies. The juniors will complete qualifications with the short distances tomorrow.   All the archers who turn a maximum of 18 years old during the year of 2008 can compete in the junior category of these Youth World Championships.   Recurve Junior Men In this category MANDIA shot 639 points and took the lead over Mick DE BAKKER (NED) during the arrows shot at 70 meters. Another Italian is 3rd, Luca MELOTTO. The Cadet World Champion in 2006, Ryan TACK (AUS), lied at the 9th place with 619 points.   In the team competition, Italy led with 1877 points (grand total of the three archers). Russia was 2nd with 1847 and Mexico 3rdwith 1840.  Recurve Junior Women The Cadet bronze medallist in 2006, STEPANOVA took a strong lead with 660 points. On 2nd place, LU Siyi (CHN) had 644 points ahead of two familiar faces: Cadet silver medallist in 2006, Pranitha VARDHINENI (IND) and Cadet World Champion Jane WALLER (AUS). They both participated in the recent Olympic Games. 

For the teams, Russia had a small lead over China with 1909 points over 1903. Poland was 3rd with 1876. 

Compound Junior Men 
WALLACE held on to a good start in the morning and had an impressive lead. To his credit, he already achieved a 5th place at the elite World Cup stage, in Santo Domingo earlier this year. With 691 points, he created a 22-point gap over Simon ROUSSEAU (CAN) at 2nd place. Three Italians followed: Luca FANTI, Fabio NAVA and Jacopo POLIDORI. The Cadet World Champion, Paris GOICO DE LARA (DOM) did not have a good day, lying at 34th place. 

With 1991 points, Australia saved a small team lead over Italy. Denmark was 3rd in the provisional standing. 
  Compound Junior WomenNICELY overtook Malin JOHANSSON (SWE) during the second distance and led with 689 points. The local favourite Esra SULUN (TUR) followed closely with 681. Cadet World Champion Anastasia ANASTASIO lied on 10th place. 

USA led the team with 2009 points, ahead of Italy and Canada. 

There is still a lot of arrows to be shot this week, including the second day of qualifications on the short distances tomorrow. All the juniors will shoot at 50 and 30 meters. 

Didier Miéville 
FITA Communication