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Flash interviews from Finals
Dubai, 24th November 2007
Recurve
Dola Banerjee after beating Choi Eun Young
Were you surprised to win the final?
I was very surprised. She had to score a 10 with her last arrow to win. I expected her to do it but she only scored an eight and so I won. I didn’t expect to win.
That now puts you in pole position for next year’s Olympics doesn’t it?
We have our Indian Olympic trials still to come but I am looking forward to the Olympics and I am very excited about it and have a chance. Why not?
Do you think an Indian Olympic champion would knock cricket off the back pages of the national newspapers?
It would be nice but I’m not sure that will happen.
Is that the biggest win of your career?
That is the biggest victory for me. The Koreans are always very strong. I didn’t feel very good at the start of the semi-final – my concentration was not good. But towards the end of that match I found my focus and that continued into the final. Perhaps I put too much pressure on myself in the semi-final but in the final I felt more relaxed.
Baljinima Tsyrempilov after beating Juan Rene Serrano
Were you surprised to win this event?
I am very pleased to win but I am not surprised. I came to this World Cup final as the number one ranked archer and so I had to show that I was the number one and I did that.
What helped you stay in control in the final?
Experience is important. I have won many titles in the past and it is this experience that helps in the most important matches.
Do you expect to go on and win Olympic gold in Beijing?
I would like to win in Beijing. That would make me very happy. I hope I can win there as well.
Compound
Petra Ericsson after beating Sofia Goncharova
How are you able to shoot so accurately in such a big match?
It’s down to many years of practice. I’m very happy to have won. It’s one of the top three victories of my career for me.
You are expecting a baby in March. How has that impacted on your archery?
It affects me a bit but it’s been ok. Fortunately the baby kept quiet and still in the final because there had been a couple of kicks in the semi-final.
What are you going to do with the prize money?
I haven’t decided yet but I expect some of it will go to the baby.
Jorge Jimenez after beating Braden Gellenthien
I’m not sure who was more excited about your win, you or your wife?
I am not sure either. It is very exciting for us both. She is not always able to travel with me to watch but I like it better when she comes.
You looked very calm out there?
I was very nervous in fact. I just had to keep saying to myself that I should focus on the target. I was able to do this and it helped me to win the match.
Has this been your best season in archery?
It has been a very good year for me and this is a special way to end it. This has been my best year.
Flash interviews from semi-finals
Recurve
Dola Banerjee after beating Natalya Erdyniyeva
It seemed to take a while for you to find your rhythm?
I found the first two ends difficult. Some of my arrows were too high, then too low and I had to adjust my sights. I was a bit low on confidence at that point but things got better.
They certainly did, you must have been pleased with the way you finished?
I finished the match really well and my confidence is high for the final.
Alan Wills after losing to Juan Rene Serrano
It just didn’t go for you today did it?
I had four or five arrows that finished just outside the 10 and that makes a big difference. I felt good out there but sometimes things just don’t go you way.
Is it disappointing not to make the final?
I came here hoping to win but it wasn’t my day. I will still get myself up for the bronze medal match.
Compound
Petra Ericsson after victory over Anna Kazantseva
How did you find the sudden death shoot-out?
My knees were shaking. I knew what I had to do, it’s just important to control your emotions and focus on the target.
Was there a lot of pressure out there?
For sure, there’s a lot to play for. I think it’s a good place to shoot and the pressure is what archery is about.
Jamie van Natta after losing to Sofia Goncharova
Are you disappointed to have lost such a tight match?
I did everything I could but I didn’t win. I can’t be upset about that. I shot well but so did she.
What was the pressure like in the shoot-out?
I try not to think about that. I shot a nine with my last arrow. I wouldn’t take any of my arrows back
Braden Gellenthien after victory over Sebastien Brasseur
What went through your head when you won the match?
It was incredible. I’ve only had one big match like that before where it’s gone to the second tie-break and it was great to come out on top. (ndlr the other time Gellenthien lost in the second arrow of the shoot-off of the World Championships Final last July).
What did you think when your opponent made a mistake with his second shoot-out arrow?
I was relaxed after that. I knew I’d make it. It had been hard to keep focus before that but I just said to myself that this is the sort of match that you put in all that practice for.
Jorge Jimenez after beating Roberval dos Santos
What was it like to play in such an exciting game?
It was amazing. I really enjoyed it. It was so exciting and it was a great finish.
How did you maintain your concentration in the shoot-out?
The only way you can do this is to think only about the match. If God helps me I can win gold.
John Long for FITA Communication
Dola Banerjee after beating Choi Eun Young
Were you surprised to win the final?
I was very surprised. She had to score a 10 with her last arrow to win. I expected her to do it but she only scored an eight and so I won. I didn’t expect to win.
That now puts you in pole position for next year’s Olympics doesn’t it?
We have our Indian Olympic trials still to come but I am looking forward to the Olympics and I am very excited about it and have a chance. Why not?
Do you think an Indian Olympic champion would knock cricket off the back pages of the national newspapers?
It would be nice but I’m not sure that will happen.
Is that the biggest win of your career?
That is the biggest victory for me. The Koreans are always very strong. I didn’t feel very good at the start of the semi-final – my concentration was not good. But towards the end of that match I found my focus and that continued into the final. Perhaps I put too much pressure on myself in the semi-final but in the final I felt more relaxed.
Baljinima Tsyrempilov after beating Juan Rene Serrano
Were you surprised to win this event?
I am very pleased to win but I am not surprised. I came to this World Cup final as the number one ranked archer and so I had to show that I was the number one and I did that.
What helped you stay in control in the final?
Experience is important. I have won many titles in the past and it is this experience that helps in the most important matches.
Do you expect to go on and win Olympic gold in Beijing?
I would like to win in Beijing. That would make me very happy. I hope I can win there as well.
Compound
Petra Ericsson after beating Sofia Goncharova
How are you able to shoot so accurately in such a big match?
It’s down to many years of practice. I’m very happy to have won. It’s one of the top three victories of my career for me.
You are expecting a baby in March. How has that impacted on your archery?
It affects me a bit but it’s been ok. Fortunately the baby kept quiet and still in the final because there had been a couple of kicks in the semi-final.
What are you going to do with the prize money?
I haven’t decided yet but I expect some of it will go to the baby.
Jorge Jimenez after beating Braden Gellenthien
I’m not sure who was more excited about your win, you or your wife?
I am not sure either. It is very exciting for us both. She is not always able to travel with me to watch but I like it better when she comes.
You looked very calm out there?
I was very nervous in fact. I just had to keep saying to myself that I should focus on the target. I was able to do this and it helped me to win the match.
Has this been your best season in archery?
It has been a very good year for me and this is a special way to end it. This has been my best year.
Flash interviews from semi-finals
Recurve
Dola Banerjee after beating Natalya Erdyniyeva
It seemed to take a while for you to find your rhythm?
I found the first two ends difficult. Some of my arrows were too high, then too low and I had to adjust my sights. I was a bit low on confidence at that point but things got better.
They certainly did, you must have been pleased with the way you finished?
I finished the match really well and my confidence is high for the final.
Alan Wills after losing to Juan Rene Serrano
It just didn’t go for you today did it?
I had four or five arrows that finished just outside the 10 and that makes a big difference. I felt good out there but sometimes things just don’t go you way.
Is it disappointing not to make the final?
I came here hoping to win but it wasn’t my day. I will still get myself up for the bronze medal match.
Compound
Petra Ericsson after victory over Anna Kazantseva
How did you find the sudden death shoot-out?
My knees were shaking. I knew what I had to do, it’s just important to control your emotions and focus on the target.
Was there a lot of pressure out there?
For sure, there’s a lot to play for. I think it’s a good place to shoot and the pressure is what archery is about.
Jamie van Natta after losing to Sofia Goncharova
Are you disappointed to have lost such a tight match?
I did everything I could but I didn’t win. I can’t be upset about that. I shot well but so did she.
What was the pressure like in the shoot-out?
I try not to think about that. I shot a nine with my last arrow. I wouldn’t take any of my arrows back
Braden Gellenthien after victory over Sebastien Brasseur
What went through your head when you won the match?
It was incredible. I’ve only had one big match like that before where it’s gone to the second tie-break and it was great to come out on top. (ndlr the other time Gellenthien lost in the second arrow of the shoot-off of the World Championships Final last July).
What did you think when your opponent made a mistake with his second shoot-out arrow?
I was relaxed after that. I knew I’d make it. It had been hard to keep focus before that but I just said to myself that this is the sort of match that you put in all that practice for.
Jorge Jimenez after beating Roberval dos Santos
What was it like to play in such an exciting game?
It was amazing. I really enjoyed it. It was so exciting and it was a great finish.
How did you maintain your concentration in the shoot-out?
The only way you can do this is to think only about the match. If God helps me I can win gold.
John Long for FITA Communication
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