ARCHERY: Alice Ingley has battled through sickness to complete the women’s ranking round at Rio’s Sambodromo.
Ingley finished the event in 58th out of 64 archers having shot 593 of the 720 targets.
It was not the result the West Australian wanted but she was just happy to make it through the event after being admitted to the Olympic Village Polyclinic a day before the event.
“I went surprisingly well considering, as I got really sick yesterday morning," Ingley said.
“I am very grateful to all the staff at the Polyclinic who were great.”
If Ingley was unable to shoot an arrow today then her dream of making her Olympic debut would have been dashed.
That was never going to happen to a determined Ingley, though, who was clearly below her best.
“I knew I would get out here no matter what and shoot one arrow so I could compete in the match play," Ingley said.
“I didn’t know how many arrows I’d shoot so I was glad I got through all 72.”
After scoring 304 in her first 36 arrows, Ingley faded to shoot 289 in the final half of the event.
Korea filled the top three with Misun Choi topping the rankings with a score of 669, while her compatriots Hye Jin Chang and Bo Bae Ki second and third respectively.
Ingley will now take on Lucilla Boari, who finished 7th on 651, and will hope the couple of days away from competition will help her return to full fitness prior to her first knockout match.
“I’m really excited for the match play and to try and shoot my best and get back to what I was doing in training," Ingley said.
“I know underdogs can go out there and win and that is what I’ll be trying to do.”
Earlier in the day, the men’s team was ranked fourth as they secured passage through to the quarter-finals as they go on the hunt of a historic medal in Rio.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
