31 May 2007 - Choi Eun Young, Erdyniyeva, Gellenthien confirm

Choi Eun Young, Erdyniyeva, Gellenthien confirm Antalya - 31 May 2007   In Recurve Women, two finalists in previous World Cup events this year, Choi Eun Youn (KOR) and Erdynieva (RUS) will appear again on the big stage on Saturday. Same feat for Gellenthien (USA) who has been dominating the Compound Men category so far this week.   Thursdays at World Cup events always mean the start of the exciting elimination matches. Twelve arrows for both archers at a 70 metre target: winner goes on, loser goes home. There is no second chance…   Natalya Erdyniyeva (RUS)    Recurve Women The first match is many times the most difficult. It starts early morning and it is difficult to get loose immediately with the first arrows. The first round in Antalya gave cause for a few upsets. The no. 7 seed Schuh (FRA) could not achieve more than 102 points, which was clearly not enough versus Milanovich (BLR) who earned 110. This is disappointing for Schuh who has been shooting really well in qualifications on Tuesday, even breaking the French record. Bronze medallist at the last World Cup in Varese, Marusava (BLR) could not go pass the experienced Lobzhenidze (UKR). The Ukrainian then went on to beat no. 8 seed Banerjee (IND) in the second round, before losing to the no. 9 seed Haidn Tschalova (GER). The German, who was borne Russian, had been previously close to elimination, winning a shoot-off against Borodai (RUS).   The tension raised a few notches with the 1/8 elimination matches. Choi Eun Young (KOR), seeded no. 1, faced 2006 World Cup winner Zhang Juan Juan (CHN) and prevailed 113-110. However, two other Koreans were not so successful this morning. Lee Tuk Young was defeated was defeated Folkard (GBR). The two archers were tied at 53 points after 6 arrows, but Folkard raised her level to score a 55 in the second end, while the Korean stayed at 53. Final score: 108-106. Folkard said: “I was pretty shaking with my last arrows, but I could keep them in the yellow. It feels good!” The biggest match of the round was nevertheless Erdyniyeva facing Olympic Champion Park Sung-Hyun. Tied at 56 points after 6 arrows, the young Russian shot a 7 that could have been deadly, but Park had a rare moment of weakness shooting the same score as her opponent. At the end, Erdyniyeva added a few more 10s than Park and clinched the match 111-109.      Choi Eun Young (KOR) In the quarter-finals Folkard was leading another Korean Lee Sun Jin 83-82 after nine arrows. However, she could not keep her advantage up to the end and lost 109-110. Recent Indoor World Champion Hayakawa (JPN) was also a lead against Valeeva (ITA): 85-84 after nine arrows. However, the Japanese shot a 6 in her last end and the experienced Valeeva did not miss the opportunity to win 112-110.   In the semi-finals Valeeva and Erdinyeva were tied at a low 52 points after 6 arrows. Erdinyeva raised her level to shoot 29 in the third end and could keep her lead until the end to finish on a 107-105 victory. Choi Eun Youn was facing her team-mate and 2005 World Champion Lee Sun Jin in the other semi-final. Lee took a three points advantage after 6 arrows but blew it up when she shot a 7 in the third end. The two fellow countrywomen were tied at 83 and also at the end of the match, both with 110 points. So a shoot-off was necessary. Choi achieved 10 with her first additional arrows, while Lee scored only a 9. Choi will play Erdinyeva in the final Saturday.   Sebastien Brasseur (FRA)    Compound Men No. 1 seed Gellenthien (USA) had some real difficulties in his first match of the day. He was tied with Beaud (FRA) going into the last arrow. However, the American went on a row of success when he hit the middle (10) while the French could only achieve 9. Gellenthien then beat Gates (RSA), 115-112, and still raised his level needed against Hofer (SUI) in quarter-final: 119-116. The American then progressively took the best part of his semi-final versus the surprising German Hasenfuss (116-111). The latter had previously defeated two talented archers, Sitar (SLO) in quarter-final and Genet (FRA) in the 1/8 eliminations.   The lower part of the draw had tighter matches. Ulsan finalist Zamaninejad (IRI) had to go through a shoot-off versus Ozdemir (TUR) in the first round. However, the Iranian was then stopped by Brasseur (FRA) in the second round. In the 1/8 eliminations Brasseur defeated the no. 3 seed White (GBR) 118-117. Logan Wilde (USA), looking for points, was facing World Cup leader Jimenez (ESA). Wilde kept his chances alive by defeating the heavy favourite 117-115! The American then meet Brasseur in the quarter-final, but the French achieved another 118 points that earned him a place in semi-final. He was joined by Dos Santos (BRA) who shot a perfect 120 points (three X10) in his quarter-final versus Piette (BEL).   The semi-final Brasseur–Dos Santos was a great match! They were tied at 59 and the French then took a one-point lead at 87-88. Dos Santos tied this score with two arrows to go (97-97). However, Brasseur regained his lead to win 117-116! Brasseur said: “I gained some confidence with my first match and I had good feelings for the whole morning. I kept the same way of shooting all the time until the end. I could not imagine better than a final!” Dos Santos said: “I had too much back-tension during the semi and it made me aim too much on the right. It cost me the match. Still, I am happy with another bronze medal match on Saturday, and I hope than I can find the financing to attend the last World Cup leg in Dover. I still have a chance to go to the Final in Dubai.”   The Recurve Men and the Compound Women take the field this afternoon.   Didier Miéville FITA Communication