History Taylor Made as WA Archer Proves his Worth
Archery: Finals – Day 1
Athlete: Taylor Worth – (BRONZE MEDAL – Australia recorded 6-2 victory over China)
Venue: Sambodromo
Western Australian archer Taylor Worth has helped the men’s recurve team achieve history by becoming the first Australian team to win an archery Olympic medal for the country, after they earned bronze with a 6-2 win over China on Day 1.
Worth, Alec Potts and Ryan Tyack claimed three sets to China’s one to clinch the medal, with the Australians shooting superbly throughout the tournament to create their slice of history.
Worth told reports after the success, that the group had changed nothing from their training routines back home in Australia (where they are based in Queensland), and had just executed their training under competition pressure.
Wearing the green and gold of Australia in glorious 32 degree Rio sunshine, Taylor Worth shot the final arrow to secure Australia’s victory, which also saw the trio become Australia’s first medallists of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The medal effort is a rich reward for Worth, who finished ninth in the individual competition on his Olympic debut in London four years ago and relocated to Brisbane from Perth ahead of his Rio campaign to base himself at the High Performance Centre in Queensland.
The Australians finished fourth in the ranking round, before defeating France in their quarter final. A semi final defeat at the hands of world number one Korea, didn’t dent their confidence, and they quickly jumped to a two sets lead in their bronze medal round with China, failing to panic after their rivals claimed one set back, to round out a 6-2 win.
Worth will now focus on the individual tournament, where he was the 14th highest qualifier following the ranking round.