The same Dutch duo now has a 100% medal record together over the past two years – and could secure a third title in four appearances. They have guaranteed themselves another spot on the big stage, with the final set for Sunday at Gwangju’s iconic 5.18 Democracy Square.
“The conditions were very sticky – but also very slippery release-wise. But just like I said in Madrid, it feels like we’re a great team,” said European gold medallist De Laat. “I hope we can get a repeat of Madrid, but we’ll see.”
“It can go either way because all the teams are really high level at the moment – but we’re definitely going to try our hardest.”
Awaiting them is a clash of consistency versus quality against India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Rishabh Yadav.
The Indians broke the 144-arrow world record in Shanghai earlier this year, then won gold in Central Florida and bronze in Madrid to rise to world number one.
Yadav and Vennam dropped just six nines across their three matches today and shot a perfect 160 (with seven 10Xs) against Germany in the second round before defeating Chinese Taipei, 157-155, in the semifinals. The Taipei duo – Huang I-Jou and Chang Cheng Wei – had earlier eliminated hosts Korea.
This will be only the second time India compete for a compound mixed team medal at a World Archery Championships, following silver in Yankton in 2021 when Vennam partnered Abhishek Verma.
But just as with the Dutch, India’s strength lies in its anchor.
“I think it would be a bit biased to say we belong on the same level, but she’s had many partners in the past,” said 23-year-old Yadav of Vennam. “With her experience I’m able to learn more, and as a junior I really learned a lot from her.”
“She knows how to make the wind calls so it really helps me – and I’m able to pull it off as she guides.”
