ARCHERY: Team bronze medallist Ryan Tyack has gone down in his opening round clash of the individual event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The 25-year-old Queenslander lost out to Robin Ramaekers of Belgium as he looked to secure passage through to the final 32 of competition.
In wet conditions, Tyack started well shooting three straight nines to take the opening set 27-26 before Ramaekers won the second 26-25.
The Belgian then hit his straps, winning the third 28-26 before shooting a perfect 30, to Tyack’s 25, to take the match 6-2.
“Realistically the weather wasn’t too much of a factor I just wasn’t really feeling my body and it wasn’t where it should be at for the match-play competition,” Tyack said.
“My focal point was trying get the shots good.
“If you’re trying to make the medal matches you have to be shooting well and hitting the middle and I just wasn’t quite feeling it today.”
Despite the result, Tyack will forever be etched in Australian Olympic history as one of the trio who won the nation’s first Olympic archery team medal.
“I’m stoked that I’m able to go home with a medal like everyone does but it’s obviously a bit bittersweet as I wish I could have gone better here.
“Even if I lost but shot to my own average then I would have been happier, but I’m definitely still happy to go home with the bronze medal.”
Tyack’s team bronze medallist teammate Taylor Worth is the final Australian left in individual competition.
He will take on 35th ranked Antonio Fernandez of Spain on Friday morning in the round of 16 and Tyack will no doubt be there in support.
“He is from my team and we’ve grown up together so I’ll definitely be out here cheering him on and supporting however I can,” Tyack said.
Once Friday’s competition wraps up the next Olympic cycle for archery begins and Tyack has not made any rash decisions on his future in the sport.
“Who knows what will happen in four years but thinking of it now – why not?” he said.
Tyack came into the match in superb touch having shot four maximum 10-point scores, and two nines, in the bronze medal match for the team event.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
