Even just one flailing arrow like this would have capitulated most teams in the eye of Korea, not least against a trio of archers that have all gold medalled in Olympic Games [An San, Chaeyoung in Tokyo 2020, Sihyeon in Paris 2024].
But instead of wilting to the whims of the sport’s most dominant side, Taipei hit two arrows in the 10-ring whilst their opponents faltered in the fourth set, to force and win archery’s sudden death format.
Averaging an age of 19.7 and shooting together for the first time this season, the usual detriments of inexperience may not matter to Yi-Ching, Hsin Tzu and Cai Xuan but stage finals offer a completely challenge in terms of handling nerves, especially at the World Championships.
“What we can do is just try to focus on ourselves, do our best in every single arrow and then see what will happen,” responded Cai Xuan.
They face Japan tomorrow in the last team final of Gwangju at 5.18 Democracy Square, with the recurve mixed and men’s team medal matches happening earlier.
You can watch all finals live on archery+.
