Sunday 25th July 2021
Second German medal
Archers fight for historical bronze
The German archers secure the bronze medal with a sovereign performance: The three athletes around Lisa Unruh leave Belarus no chance with 5: 1 – and the cheers are limitless. It is the first women’s archery team medal in 21 years.
The German archers around Lisa Unruh won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Unruh (Berlin), Michelle Kroppen (Jena) and Charline Schwarz (Feucht) prevailed in the team competition in a duel for third place 5: 1 against Belarus and thus won the second German medal in Japan.
In the last attempt, the overall strong German team needed a ten from Unruh to at least compensate for the passage (55:55 rings). The tension was palpable – but the Berliner kept her nerve and secured the German trio the bronze medal in the team competition. Then the athletes fell into each other’s arms cheering, with Unruh even tearing the side of their bow. “It’s overwhelming. I’m really happy,” said Unruh: “It was great, it was totally exciting. We shot really well. That was great!”
Atlanta, Sydney – and now Tokyo
Previously, Unruh and Co. had missed the gold final at Yumenoshima Park Archery Field by beating the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) 5-1. On the way to the medal games they won 6-2 against Taiwan and Mexico. “We have been able to build on what we have worked for all year,” said national coach Oliver Haidn: “I am so proud of the team. It feels so good. We are just happy that we can offer our families and our fans could give something back. Everyone did a great job. “
With the same line-up, the German team won the silver medal at the European Championships in Antalya at the beginning of June. For Unruh it is the second Olympic precious metal, in 2016 she won silver with a sensational triumph in the individual in Rio – the first German individual medal in this sport. Kroppen, who finished fourth in the World Cup, and Schwarz, who was only 20 years old, celebrated their greatest career success in Tokyo and won their first ever world-class medal in the adult division.
The German Schützenbund (DSB) had won two medals since the Olympic premiere of the competition in 1988. Barbara Mensing, Cornelia Pfohl and Sandra Wagner-Sachse won silver in Atlanta in 1996. Four years later, the trio secured bronze in Sydney. So the bronze medal in Tokyo was the first in 21 years.
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