ARCHERY: After they made history by claiming Australia’s first Olympic team medal on Saturday, Ryan Tyack, Alec Potts and Taylor Worth will be looking to push for similar success in the individual competition.
Potts and Worth, who finished the ranking round in 20th and 14th, will compete on Tuesday, while 23rd ranked Tyack begins his campaign on Wednesday at the iconic Sambodromo.
Potts first match up is against Brazilian Bernardo Oliveira (10:31am local, 11:31pm AEST), who will no doubt have the local fans cheering him home, before dual Olympian Worth takes on Egypt’s Ahmed Al Nemr (3:13pm local, 4:13am Wednesday AEST).
Tyack then faces Robin Ramaekers of Belgium on Wednesday (3:00pm, 4:00am Thursday (AEST).
“Normally Taylor’s match play is very good so he has a real chance,” coach Ya Ping Shih said.
“I think with all the experience that Ryan and Alec got from the team matches makes them good chances as well.”
After going down to the eventual gold medallists Korea in the semi-final the team bounced back to convincingly defeat China to claim bronze.
“The Olympic Games is a very difficult competition but I know the boys have a strong feeling that they want to win in the individual as well.
“I believe that each of the boys will take a lot of confidence out of the team medal into the individual competition.”
If the archers win their round of 32 clash then they will play their round of 16 clash on the same day. Finals will be held on Friday.
Sole Australian female representative in Rio Alice Ingley won her opening match with Italy’s Lucilla Boari before bowing out to Ane Marcelle Gomes Dos Santos.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
