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In extremely treacherous conditions, the recurve athletes finished the outdoor season of the World Cup Final Tokyo 2012 in style, competing in heavy rains and under the eyes of the Japanese royal family!
The individual recurve matches are the best of 5 sets of 3 arrows. There are 2 points up for grabs in each set. A tie in the set awards one point to each athlete. The first archer to six set points wins the match! If the regulation number of sets (5) ends at 5-5 set points, there is a one-arrow shoot-off where the closest arrow to the centre wins! Recurve Men - Semifinals
Brady ELLISON (USA/4) v IM Dong Hyun (KOR/1)
It has been said this match consisted of the world’s best archer in the last 10 years, IM Dong-Hyun (KOR), against the world’s best archers in the last 5 years, Brady ELLISON (USA). The two celebrities of archery had to settle for team bronze and silver respectively at the London Olympic Games. The Tokyo Final they were both hungry for gold medals. Having competed against each other many times, it is Brady ELLISON who had the advantage having not lost to IM Dong Hyun since 2010 individually. The American led 4-1 in the individual match-ups. History says when the world No. 1 and 2 meet, the competition is high and the unrelenting rain only added to the drama.
ELLISON took the first set with a 10 in the third arrow (9-9-10 to 9-9-9). In the second set, ELLISON finished with an 8, which allowed IM to tie the match (10-10-8 to 10-10-9).
An 8 for IM was costly in the third set—at this level any arrow out of the yellow should be costly. IM scored 10-8-10. ELLISON had 10-10-9 to regain the lead, 4-2.
IM started the fourth set with another 8! He followed up with two 10s! ELLISON had 10-9*-9. The star would make the difference. The judge saw on the target that the 9* was a 10 and ELLISON qualified for his third gold medal matches in a row at a World Cup Final!!!
Gael PREVOST (FRA/7) v KIM Woojin (KOR/6)
The young French star shot a very impressive match to beat HRACHOV (UKR) 7-1 and then had to face the current world champion and world ranked No. 4 KIM Woojin. In spite of being the world champion, KIM failed to make Korea’s team for the Olympics. Here at the finals he wanted to prove his skills.
KIM had the best start winning the first set 28-26. Then the two athletes scored 8-9-10 to 10-9-8 in second one; KIM led 3-1. The Korean was also the only one to hit a 10 in the third set (9-9-10 à 9-8-9), taking a commanding lead, 5-1.
PREVOST reacted well taking the last two sets! He won them 10-9-10 to 9-10-9 and 9-10-9 to 8-10-9! Meaning a Shoot-Off!
KIM shot first: a 9 close to the 10 ring! PREVOST shot: a 9 close to the 10! However, KIM’s arrow was the closest to the centre which meant victory for the Korean!
Recurve Men – 3rd place Final
Gael PREVOST (FRA/7) v IM Dong Hyun (KOR/1)
The young Frenchman played against one of the giants or archery IM Dong Hyun. PREVOST started well and took the first set 29-28. IM reacted immediately with 30-27 in the second.
PREVOST scored himself a perfect 30 in the fourth set to take a 4-2 lead in the match (30-28)!
IM started the fourth set with an 8. PREVOST scored a 10! IM scored a 9. PREVOST an 8. IM finished with a 9. Scoring a 9 to win, PREVOST accomplished win a brilliant victory
Recurve Men – Final
Brady ELLISON (USA/4) v KIM Woojin (KOR/6)
ELLISON who is the double defender of the World Cup Final versus KIM who is the current individual and team world champion! Another clash of the titans!
Both archers shared the first two sets: 28-28 and 28-28! The two times KIM could have taken the sets if he would have scored a 10 with his last arrow, but twice he scored a 9.
ELLISON scored 9-8-9 in the third set and KIM had 9-8, giving the same opportunity: a 10 to win the set. KIM scored a 9. The set was tied at 26-26 and the match at 3-3!
ELLISON scored 9-7-9 in the fourth set and this time KIM took advantage of it with 10-9-9. The Korean led 5-3.
Right as the wind and rain were picking up, ELLISON needed to win the fifth set to have chance to keep his crown. He started with a 10. KIM scored a 9. The American scored another 10. The Korean scored another 9. ELLISON needed 9 but was only able to get 8! Now KIM needed a 10 to win but he also scored a…8! ELLISON took the set 28-26 meaning a shoot-off!
ELLISON shot first with an 8 . KIM shot the last arrow of the World Cup season. It was another 8! KIM’s arrow was definitely closest to the centre and he won the 2012 World Cup! KIM is now the defending world champion and the defending World Cup Final winner!
ELLISON lost his World Cup title, however still a champion, he was the archer who shot the most 10s during the season and won the Longines Prize for Precision.
Recurve Women - Semifinals
Jennifer NICHOLS (USA/5) v Deepika KUMARI (IND/1)
After a disappointing Olympic Games for Deepika KUMARI, the Indian former world No. 1, she shot a great quarterfinal to find herself in this semifinal against the Ogden 2nd place finisher Jennifer NICHOLS-HARDY who had already picked up a mixed team victory at this event.
KUMARI had the best start taking the first set 28-24, but NICHOLS won the second set 25-24. KUMARI took the lead back, 26-25 in the third set.
It was a tough battle under the rain with both athletes struggling to hit the 10-ring. Both archers raised their games in the fourth set as NICHOLS scored 9-9-9,. However KUMARI did slightly better, 9-10-9. After Istanbul last year where she finished 2nd, KUMARI was back in the gold medal match of a World Cup Final!
KI Bo Bae (KOR/2) v CHOI Hyeonju (KOR/3)
Any athlete will tell you it’s always hard to shoot against a teammate. In this case even tougher when your teammate is an Olympic gold medallist. Both KI Bo Bae and CHOI Hyeonju won the team event at this summer Olympic Games but it was KI who took the individual gold and CHOI had to settle for 9th. They have already met twice this year at World Cup stages Shanghai and Antalya and so far it was one win each.
A bad first arrow from CHOI (3) gave the first set to KI, but the Olympic champion was superb in any case in the first two sets with 10-10-9 and 10-9-10. She led 4-0.
CHOI reacted well in the third set with 10-9-10, while KI scored 9-9-10. The latter still led 4-2.
Both archers started the fourth set with an 8. Then CHOI took the advantage on this set 10-9), but KI tied it with the last arrow (9-10). They both scored 27 points and drew the points in this set. KI led 5-3 in set points.
CHOI started the fifth with a 10. KI got a liner 10! Hyeonju scored another 10. Bo Bae had a 9, just outside the 10-ring. CHOI scored another 10 (10-10-10 under the rain!), forcing the shoot-off!
KI shot first: a 10, just inside the ring! CHOI shot: a 9 just outside the 10-ring. The wonder summer continued for KI as she reached the final!
Recurve Women – 3rd place Final
Jennifer NICHOLS (USA/5) v CHOI Hyeonju (KOR/3)
Both archers shot well in this 3rd place match, but CHOI was stronger in the first two sets, winning those 28-26 and 29-28.
NICHOLS-HARDY reacted very well in the third set with 10-9-10, while CHOI scored 8-9-9. The American came back at 2-4. She stayed alive in the fourth by catching a liner 8 and shooting two 10s. That was enough to tie this set, as CHOI scored 9-9-10. The Korean led 5-3.
NICHOLS-HARDY needed to win the fifth set but she shot 9-6-10 for 25. CHOI scored 8-8-9 to match these 25 points and won it 6-4!
Recurve Women – Final
KI Bo Bae (KOR/2) v Deepika KUMARI (IND/1)
The clash of the titans on the women’s side! The No. 1 in the world, KI, and recent double Olympic Champions versus the No. 2 of the world, KUMARI, and runner-up, among many other medals, of the Istanbul World Cup Final last year.
KI did not have a great start and KUMARI jumped at the opportunity. She won the first two sets 26-23 and 27-25.
KI came back strong in the third set with 9-9-10, better than the 9-8-7 of KUMARI. The rain was not getting any easier, but KI managed to tie the match. She won the fourth set 8-10-8 to 8-8-7.
KUMARI started the fifth set with a 9. KI got an 8. The Indian scored a 9. The Korean scored a 9. KUMARI had a 1-point advantage and needed a 10 to win. She scored a… 7! Now, KI needed a 9 to win. She did it! After two Olympic gold medals, KI won the World Cup Final 2012!
KI also won the Longines Prize for Precision as the recurve woman with the most 10s during the World Cup season.
What a year for KI!
What a year for archery!
Michael PEART / Didier MIEVILLE
World Archery Communication
The individual recurve matches are the best of 5 sets of 3 arrows. There are 2 points up for grabs in each set. A tie in the set awards one point to each athlete. The first archer to six set points wins the match! If the regulation number of sets (5) ends at 5-5 set points, there is a one-arrow shoot-off where the closest arrow to the centre wins! Recurve Men - Semifinals
Brady ELLISON (USA/4) v IM Dong Hyun (KOR/1)
It has been said this match consisted of the world’s best archer in the last 10 years, IM Dong-Hyun (KOR), against the world’s best archers in the last 5 years, Brady ELLISON (USA). The two celebrities of archery had to settle for team bronze and silver respectively at the London Olympic Games. The Tokyo Final they were both hungry for gold medals. Having competed against each other many times, it is Brady ELLISON who had the advantage having not lost to IM Dong Hyun since 2010 individually. The American led 4-1 in the individual match-ups. History says when the world No. 1 and 2 meet, the competition is high and the unrelenting rain only added to the drama.
ELLISON took the first set with a 10 in the third arrow (9-9-10 to 9-9-9). In the second set, ELLISON finished with an 8, which allowed IM to tie the match (10-10-8 to 10-10-9).
An 8 for IM was costly in the third set—at this level any arrow out of the yellow should be costly. IM scored 10-8-10. ELLISON had 10-10-9 to regain the lead, 4-2.
IM started the fourth set with another 8! He followed up with two 10s! ELLISON had 10-9*-9. The star would make the difference. The judge saw on the target that the 9* was a 10 and ELLISON qualified for his third gold medal matches in a row at a World Cup Final!!!
Gael PREVOST (FRA/7) v KIM Woojin (KOR/6)
The young French star shot a very impressive match to beat HRACHOV (UKR) 7-1 and then had to face the current world champion and world ranked No. 4 KIM Woojin. In spite of being the world champion, KIM failed to make Korea’s team for the Olympics. Here at the finals he wanted to prove his skills.
KIM had the best start winning the first set 28-26. Then the two athletes scored 8-9-10 to 10-9-8 in second one; KIM led 3-1. The Korean was also the only one to hit a 10 in the third set (9-9-10 à 9-8-9), taking a commanding lead, 5-1.
PREVOST reacted well taking the last two sets! He won them 10-9-10 to 9-10-9 and 9-10-9 to 8-10-9! Meaning a Shoot-Off!
KIM shot first: a 9 close to the 10 ring! PREVOST shot: a 9 close to the 10! However, KIM’s arrow was the closest to the centre which meant victory for the Korean!
Recurve Men – 3rd place Final
Gael PREVOST (FRA/7) v IM Dong Hyun (KOR/1)
The young Frenchman played against one of the giants or archery IM Dong Hyun. PREVOST started well and took the first set 29-28. IM reacted immediately with 30-27 in the second.
PREVOST scored himself a perfect 30 in the fourth set to take a 4-2 lead in the match (30-28)!
IM started the fourth set with an 8. PREVOST scored a 10! IM scored a 9. PREVOST an 8. IM finished with a 9. Scoring a 9 to win, PREVOST accomplished win a brilliant victory
Recurve Men – Final
Brady ELLISON (USA/4) v KIM Woojin (KOR/6)
ELLISON who is the double defender of the World Cup Final versus KIM who is the current individual and team world champion! Another clash of the titans!
Both archers shared the first two sets: 28-28 and 28-28! The two times KIM could have taken the sets if he would have scored a 10 with his last arrow, but twice he scored a 9.
ELLISON scored 9-8-9 in the third set and KIM had 9-8, giving the same opportunity: a 10 to win the set. KIM scored a 9. The set was tied at 26-26 and the match at 3-3!
ELLISON scored 9-7-9 in the fourth set and this time KIM took advantage of it with 10-9-9. The Korean led 5-3.
Right as the wind and rain were picking up, ELLISON needed to win the fifth set to have chance to keep his crown. He started with a 10. KIM scored a 9. The American scored another 10. The Korean scored another 9. ELLISON needed 9 but was only able to get 8! Now KIM needed a 10 to win but he also scored a…8! ELLISON took the set 28-26 meaning a shoot-off!
ELLISON shot first with an 8 . KIM shot the last arrow of the World Cup season. It was another 8! KIM’s arrow was definitely closest to the centre and he won the 2012 World Cup! KIM is now the defending world champion and the defending World Cup Final winner!
ELLISON lost his World Cup title, however still a champion, he was the archer who shot the most 10s during the season and won the Longines Prize for Precision.
Recurve Women - Semifinals
Jennifer NICHOLS (USA/5) v Deepika KUMARI (IND/1)
After a disappointing Olympic Games for Deepika KUMARI, the Indian former world No. 1, she shot a great quarterfinal to find herself in this semifinal against the Ogden 2nd place finisher Jennifer NICHOLS-HARDY who had already picked up a mixed team victory at this event.
KUMARI had the best start taking the first set 28-24, but NICHOLS won the second set 25-24. KUMARI took the lead back, 26-25 in the third set.
It was a tough battle under the rain with both athletes struggling to hit the 10-ring. Both archers raised their games in the fourth set as NICHOLS scored 9-9-9,. However KUMARI did slightly better, 9-10-9. After Istanbul last year where she finished 2nd, KUMARI was back in the gold medal match of a World Cup Final!
KI Bo Bae (KOR/2) v CHOI Hyeonju (KOR/3)
Any athlete will tell you it’s always hard to shoot against a teammate. In this case even tougher when your teammate is an Olympic gold medallist. Both KI Bo Bae and CHOI Hyeonju won the team event at this summer Olympic Games but it was KI who took the individual gold and CHOI had to settle for 9th. They have already met twice this year at World Cup stages Shanghai and Antalya and so far it was one win each.
A bad first arrow from CHOI (3) gave the first set to KI, but the Olympic champion was superb in any case in the first two sets with 10-10-9 and 10-9-10. She led 4-0.
CHOI reacted well in the third set with 10-9-10, while KI scored 9-9-10. The latter still led 4-2.
Both archers started the fourth set with an 8. Then CHOI took the advantage on this set 10-9), but KI tied it with the last arrow (9-10). They both scored 27 points and drew the points in this set. KI led 5-3 in set points.
CHOI started the fifth with a 10. KI got a liner 10! Hyeonju scored another 10. Bo Bae had a 9, just outside the 10-ring. CHOI scored another 10 (10-10-10 under the rain!), forcing the shoot-off!
KI shot first: a 10, just inside the ring! CHOI shot: a 9 just outside the 10-ring. The wonder summer continued for KI as she reached the final!
Recurve Women – 3rd place Final
Jennifer NICHOLS (USA/5) v CHOI Hyeonju (KOR/3)
Both archers shot well in this 3rd place match, but CHOI was stronger in the first two sets, winning those 28-26 and 29-28.
NICHOLS-HARDY reacted very well in the third set with 10-9-10, while CHOI scored 8-9-9. The American came back at 2-4. She stayed alive in the fourth by catching a liner 8 and shooting two 10s. That was enough to tie this set, as CHOI scored 9-9-10. The Korean led 5-3.
NICHOLS-HARDY needed to win the fifth set but she shot 9-6-10 for 25. CHOI scored 8-8-9 to match these 25 points and won it 6-4!
Recurve Women – Final
KI Bo Bae (KOR/2) v Deepika KUMARI (IND/1)
The clash of the titans on the women’s side! The No. 1 in the world, KI, and recent double Olympic Champions versus the No. 2 of the world, KUMARI, and runner-up, among many other medals, of the Istanbul World Cup Final last year.
KI did not have a great start and KUMARI jumped at the opportunity. She won the first two sets 26-23 and 27-25.
KI came back strong in the third set with 9-9-10, better than the 9-8-7 of KUMARI. The rain was not getting any easier, but KI managed to tie the match. She won the fourth set 8-10-8 to 8-8-7.
KUMARI started the fifth set with a 9. KI got an 8. The Indian scored a 9. The Korean scored a 9. KUMARI had a 1-point advantage and needed a 10 to win. She scored a… 7! Now, KI needed a 9 to win. She did it! After two Olympic gold medals, KI won the World Cup Final 2012!
KI also won the Longines Prize for Precision as the recurve woman with the most 10s during the World Cup season.
What a year for KI!
What a year for archery!
Michael PEART / Didier MIEVILLE
World Archery Communication
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