Tight fight for top compound women’s open seedings

Out in front from the very start of qualification, Korea’s Kim Misoon 685 came home eight points clear of the rest of the field. 

Great Britain’s Mel Clarke and Eleonora Sarti of Italy were tight through the first 36 arrows of the 72-arrow round, and the competition only got tighter over the back half.

Mel had the lead by two with three dozen arrows to shoot, but jumped ahead after just a few arrows. A larger lead was cut as the competition progressed, progressively worn down, until the pair drew level over the final six.

At the end of qualification, Clarke and Sarti both had 677 points – though Eleonora edged the higher ranking, and second seed, on number of X10s.

“It’s what all my work has gone into,” said Eleonora – who, when asked who she’d like to see in the head-to-heads, quickly pointed out Mel! The pair sought each other out to pass on congratulations after the ranking round, so the rivalry is clearly a friendly one.

The qualifying score was actually a personal best in competition for Clarke, who wasn’t sure she’d even be ready to compete in Donaueschingen.

“I had minor surgery on my wrist about three months ago,” she explained. “I’ve had a great rehab and a team working to get prepared for the competition.”

Mel, who took silver at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, said she had a wrist injury. The procedure and rehab meant she could no longer shoot with the hand release she was accustomed to. She had been working with an elbow release through the rehabilitation process – and that was the equipment she was using at the world para championships.

“It’s really not recovered yet,” Clarke admitted, about her wrist.

Especially considering the circumstances, a third seeding to begin her Donaueschingen 2015 campaign stands out as quite an achievement.