21 August 2007 - Beijing Test Event: Korea, Russia and USA are the first medallists!

Korea, Russia and USA are the first medallists! Beijing - 21 August 2007  The favourite Koreans did not shake in any of their matches and cruised to a victory over the Russian Federation in the final. The USA made a thriller comeback to catch the bronze medal.   Today, the Recurve Women’s Team event truly inaugurated the two archery stadiums at the Olympic Green. The teams had the chance to play on two real stadiums with deep and impressive spectators’ stands, namely Court A and B. The teams have three members who rotate at each arrow. They shoot three arrows alternatively with their opponents.   Recurve Women Team The biggest upset came for the host nation when China got knocked out by Great Britain in the first round. China was leading 109-105 after 12 arrows but could not hold it until the end. Great Britain prevailed 214-212. However, it was not to be Great Britain’s day either as they then lost to USA 192-204 in the quarters.   The Russian Federation dominated Japan all the way in their first match and then took on the number 2 seed, Poland. The Russians took advantage of a real counter-performance from the Polish who scored only 193. Unfortunately, one of the Polish archers got a red card for putting her arrow on the bow too soon, then ran out of time and could not shot this arrow. In the semi-finals, the Russian Federation fought a very close match versus the USA and finally won 209-208!   Chinese Taipei met with unexpected upset, eliminated by Italy in the first round, 214-209. Georgia defeated Columbia in the first round 209-186 and then took on Italy. The match was very tense until the last arrow and the Georgians narrowly beat the Italians on the last arrow 199-198, before facing the favourite Korea in the semi-finals. After putting up a respectable fight Georgia finally lost 222-210.   The USA met with Georgia in the bronze medal match. The Georgians built a comfortable lead of five points after 12 arrows (110-105). They kept if after 18 arrows (162-157). However, the last Georgian archer had trouble in releasing the 21st arrow of the team. She let down twice! She drew her bow a third time and finally released an 8 for an intermediary total of 187 points. However, the Georgians had only 43 seconds left to shoot three arrows! The Americans put on some pressure finishing the match with 211 points. Then, Georgia shot a 10 and 8. There was only a few seconds left for the last archer. She could only achieve a 5 and Georgia lost 210-211. The USA pulled back a bronze medal from nowhere!   One should never let a Korean take an early lead, even less so three Koreans. Unfortunately, this is what the Russians did when they started the final with two 7s (!) and then shot another 7 at the ninth arrow. They were trailing the Koreans 102-109 after 12 arrows and could never come back. PARK S.-H., CHOI E. U. and LEE T. Y. stayed solid until the end and kept the same margin. Final score 218-211 and gold medal for Korea!   Didier Miéville FITA Communication