Britain biggest winner on archery field

Source: CRI | 09-13-2008 19:47

Britain was the biggest winner on the Paralympic archery field on Saturday, as its archers gained two gold medals and a bronze from four events.

In the women's individual compound, the blonde Danielle Brown overwhelmingly edged Japanese Chieko Kamiya 112-98.

Brown started well in the first of the four three-shot series by impressing spectators with two 10s. Although she finished with a 7, the 20-year-old world championships gold medalist gained a slim advantage of one point.

In the following nine shots, the world record holder pulled away from her Japanese rival with four 10s and five 9s, while Kamiya had her scores fluctuated from 6 to 10.

"I was very happy. It was fantastic to compete in such a big event," said the British Paralympic debutant. "I just went out there shooting. I didn't really expect anything because anything can go wrong."

Her teammate Mel Clarke brushed Gulbin Su from Turkey to win the bronze.

In the men's individual compound competition, another British John Stubbs beat Italian Alberto Simonelli 116-111 with his stable performance, especially in the third series, when the 43-year-old veteran archer posted a 10-10-10 that rocked the audience.

"I was absolutely over the moon and now it is a reality. A Paralympic gold medal is like a dream come true," he said. "I didn't expect anything more. I just shot well every time I came to the court. I was extremely calm today. I just kept my inner emotions under control and shot well."