SPORTS
Ranking rounds give archers time to take aim
Baku, June 16, AZERTAC
There were a few surprises as the European Games Archery competition got underway, not least for Heorhiy Ivanytskyy. The Ukrainian seemed bemused having found himself in fourth place in the first ranking round at the Tofig Bahramov Stadium.
"Actually I still cannot understand - this is my best result this season. I tried different techniques here, God helped me. I will try to get a medal in the individuals. It is like a lottery - the result can change because of bad sleep or being in a bad mood."
Azerbaijan's Taras Senyuk fared less well, but despite his 45th ranking, he refused to give up hope of success.
"Today I shot a little bit bad but it is not so important, the important competition is the elimination round and the competition for medals. Everyone can win, it depends on concentrating. I believe in myself and my team," he said.
The Netherlands' Sjef Van Den Berg, ranked 101 in the world, was pleasantly surprised after his third-best score of 678 helped his country to the no.1 seeding in the men's team event.
"For me this is a personal best in a competition round. So in training I know I can do this and I put all my confidence in every shot I did," said Van Den Berg.
"It's just shooting, no thinking, just shoot, shoot, shoot and it feels good to rank in the top eight, top four even."
Italian archer Mauro Nespoli finished first in the men's ranking round, claiming the top individual seeding spot in the process.