USA–Denmark goes down to the line (literally)

With six arrows to go, the compound men’s team gold final in Antalya was all-tied at 174. 

With three arrows left to shoot, it was 203 apiece.

Steve ANDERSON shot a 10 then Bridger DEATON put in a nine. Shooting the anchor position, the last archer up on the line each three-arrow series, Reo WILDE’s big weights looked almost out of place precariously balancing on the end of the arm of an archer who lost a considerable amount of weight during the offseason. 

WILDE put in a 10. 

Denmark stepped up to shoot. Patrick LAURSEN: Nine, linecutter – could be upgraded. Stephan HANSEN: Nine. Ever the consummate professional, Martin DAMSBO finished with a 10. 

It went to the judge to see whether Patrick’s arrow would be upgraded. 

It wasn’t – and the USA took gold by a point. 

“It has been a tough match,” said Reo WILDE. “To come up on top is good because they’ve got the best of us at times but we got the best this time and the win.” 

“We’ve shot against these guys a lot. Between the two of us, we’ve won the Antalya tournament for the past few years.” 

Mexico did not look comfortable until midway through the bronze medal match. 

In the second end, anchor Mario CARDOSO took a long time to take his first shot. It left the team with just 50 seconds (out of 120) on the clock for its second three-arrow series. 

The trio still managed 10s but the tight was all but futile. 

Korea had started with a pair of 59s and followed it up by putting only three arrows out of the 10-ring over the next six arrows and shooting a perfect 60 to finish. 

“When your teammate starts with an X, you want to do it, too,” said KIM Jongho, who will also shoot for individual gold in Antalya. “If the second hits it, the third tends to as well.”

The Koreans led from start to finish, nine straight 10s with four Xs to close out the match, securing the win and bronze. 

Read more about Antalya 2015.