ARCHERY: The Australian men’s recurve archery team is just one win away from qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics, following a strong opening competition day at the World Championships in Copenhagen.
Led by 2012 Olympian, Taylor Worth, the Australian team finished the qualifying rounds in fifth place overall, with the top 16 countries all progressing to the next round.
Australia will take on Brazil, who finished 12th, with a win guaranteeing the Australian team three places at next year’s Olympics.
Worth, who for much of the qualifying round sat in second place in the 212-man field, eventually finished in 16th position with a score of 652.
Teammate Ryan Tyack, the 2014 World Indoor Champion, finished strongly to post exactly the same score, 652, to qualify 17th, while World Championship debutant, Alec Potts, finished a steady 36th.
The strong Korean team qualified in top position, ahead of Italy and The Netherlands.
Marcus Dalmeida was the best of the Brazilians in qualifying in 12th with 655 points. The exciting head to head clash will take place from Copenhagen from 6pm (AEST) on Tuesday evening.
The Australian women’s recurve team were unable to make the final 16, but World Championship debutant Semra Lingard and two-time Olympian, Deonne Bridger, have both made it through to the next round of the individual competition.
Lingard qualified in 48th position, while Bridger overcame a slow start to finish 76th.
Australia’s third competitor, Queensland’s Ingrid Brookshaw, finished 131st on her world championship debut.
Ross Solly for Archery Australia
