The men’s side of the draw looked less certain. While Simone Barbieri had dominated qualification and eliminations, he was facing the reigning world field champion in Cesar Vera, the reigning World Games champion in Erik Jonsson and the former world and Olympic champion in Simon Fairweather, who had used his generational experience to fight his way to the very top of the barebow men and challenge for gold.
After Fairweather just edged out Jonsson in the opening match 48-49, Barbieri dominated his first semifinal over the 61-year-old Vera, winning 55-47 and with a cold, clinical edge to his process.
The final, when it came, didn’t disappoint, with both men going toe-to-toe on the first two targets and the Italian visibly tense. At the third, Fairweather edged in front with two incredible sixes back to back, and shot strongly at the last 50 metre stand.
With the arrows clear, and the clock counting down, it was clear Simone would need a six merely to tie it up. With seconds to go, he delivered perhaps the best six of the entire tournament; dead centre.
It would be a shoot-off at 50 metres to decide the gold. Fairweather shot first; a beatable three. The door was wide open, and Barbieri shot a good four to take the title, finishing the tournament with two of the highest pressure arrows in World Games history, both executed perfectly.
