Australian archers have proven their marksmanship again as they bagged gold medals during the second day of archery at DC Park on Wednesday.
Australian Olympian Ryan Tyack bagged gold, Peter Boukouvalas settled for silver and Tahitian Jean-Pierre Winkelstroeter won bronze in the men’s single 720 round 70m recurve bow.
In a double win for Tyack, he and Australian teammate Laura Paeglis qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the mixed team category, via the Olympic qualifying competition running concurrently at Sol2023.
The 21-year-old Paeglis told the Pacific Games News Service: “It has been an amazing experience, and it feels incredible to have won. This is personally my first opportunity to win a quota spot for my country, so I am ecstatic.”
A total of 66 archers from nine countries competed in the women’s and men’s divisions for 70m and 50m, respectively.
In Wednesday’s Para archery teams events, Tahiti team snatched gold and silver while Solomon Islands settled for a hard-earned bronze.
Solomon Islands Para archery athlete Bobby Sunaone said: “Our five months of preparation finally paid off.”
Tuesday’s archery action saw the women’s compound single 720 round 50m, in which New Caledonia’s Caroline Balber hit gold with 613 points, Tahitian Aurere Cottet got silver with 587 points, and Ana Fifita of Tonga claimed a bronze medal with 569 points.
“I have been playing archery for the last four years in our local tournaments, and this is my first time competing against opponents from other countries,” Cottet said.
“I’m looking forward to winning another medal,” she added.
Archery continues on Thursday at DC Park. Entry is free.
SOURCE: SOL2023/PACNEWS
