Chinese Women Win Recurve Team Title at World Archery ChampionshipsChina scored a historic victory in the recurve women's team event Saturday when the Chinese team defeated Italy, 232-228, in the final to win the gold on the last day of the 41st World Outdoor Target Archery Championships.The Chinese team of Sa Ren, He Ying, Zhang Juanjuan and Yang Jianping, came from behind to beat defending champions Italy by four rings to claim their first major title, reversing the outcome at last World Championships in 1999. "Chinese women today performed at her normal level," said coach Yang Changxun, a former member of the South Korean men's archery team. "But it's a pity that we did not meet South Korea in the final, " added Yang, who was invited to train the Chinese team two months ago. Hot favorites South Korea, who were stunned by Italy, 240-231, in the semifinal, regained their form in the bronze medal playoff and won easily over Ukraine 247-223. In the men's team event, Olympic champions South Korea powered on throughout to beat Italy in final, 247-243. The Chinese men's team, who was edged out by South Korea, 249- 238, in the semifinal, also achieved their best-ever results when they seized the bronze with a 247-241 win over Sweden. European teams dominated the compound events as Norway and France claimed the men's and women's team title respectively. Germany, who narrowly lost to Norway, 253-252, had to settle for the silver, while the bronze went to Britain. Italy took the women's team silver, with the bronze won by the Netherlands. |
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