Lopez banishes Shanghai demons with women's compound gold at Archery World Cup

Sara Lopez recovered from last year's disappointment as she clinched compound gold at the Archery World Cup in Shanghai ©World Archery

Colombia’s Sara Lopez banished her demons from last year’s event by taking individual women’s compound gold at the Archery World Cup in Shanghai, China.

Lopez had to settle for silver at the 2014 competition after she endured difficulties with her equipment but she had no such problems this time around as she beat Mexico’s Linda Ochoa by virtue of a 149-145 scoreline.

“I tried to forget about it and focus on my shooting here,” she said.

“I don’t want people to remember my performance here for that final.

“I want them to remember this year.”

Mexico also managed to claim bronze after Stephanie Sarai Salinas triumphed 142-138 in her contest against Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh of Malaysia.

It proved to be a fruitful day for Lopez, as she won mixed team compound gold alongside partner Daniel Munoz with a 156-153 success against Turkey’s Yesim Bostan and Demir Elmaagacli.

The Netherlands, comprised of Mike Schloesser and Irina Markovic, recovered from the disappointment of losing their semi-final as they edged out Slovenia for bronze.

“We’ve done some amazing things this week,” Lopez added.

“We had some mistakes, but everyone makes mistakes.

“We’ve grown up fast together and we’re more than a team - friends and always supporting each other.”

Frenchman Sebastien Peineau successfully defended his Shanghai title as he beat Dutchman Mike Schloesser in the gold medal match ©World Archery

The men’s individual compound final provided a high degree of drama as France's defending champion Sebastien Peineau successfully retained his crown as he beat Dutchman Schloesser in a shoot-off.

Both archers had posted a score of 147 in a tight contest but it was Peineau who shot closest to the centre to seal his second consecutive Shanghai gold as Schloesser, who managed a perfect score of 600 at the Archery World Cup in Nimes, France in January, could only manage silver.

France were also victorious in the bronze medal contest as veteran Dominique Genet ousted Mexican Mario Cardoso by a solitary point.

Elsewhere on a packed day of compound action, reigning world men’s team compound champions Denmark, made up of Stephan Hansen, Martin Damsbo and Patrick Laursen, had to overcome a tough test from a determined Iranian side as they eventually claimed a tight 234-233 victory.

Individual French medallists Peineau and Genet were unable to take team bronze however as they, alongside Pierre-Julien Deloche, suffered defeat to the Indian trio of Abhishek Verma, Rajat Chauhan and Chinglensana Luwang Maisnam.

Malaysia’s Nor Rizah Ishak, Saritha Cham Nong and Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh meanwhile took the women’s team compound honours as they won gold on the last arrow of their match-up with the United States.

Russia sealed bronze by beating Colombia.