Top favourite too strong: Archers celebrate emotional silver
The German mixed team of Michelle Kroppen and Florian Unruh wins the silver medal in archery at the Olympics. The duo had to settle for silver in Paris after a strong performance, losing to the clear favorites from South Korea in the final.
Hand in hand, Michelle Kroppen and Florian Unruh ascended the winner's podium, where the overjoyed archer wiped away tears from her eyes. The German mixed duo won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Paris and rewarded themselves with a brilliant performance.
That the two athletes lost the final against the clear favorites Lim Sihyeon and Kim Woojin from South Korea 0:6 was bearable - after all, Kroppen and Unruh could celebrate the first German medal ever in this discipline.
"It was very emotional for me. I've shed a few tears," said Kroppen. "Being here is already amazing. But then standing up there and enjoying this moment, having this heavy thing around your neck - you're speechless and let your feelings run free." Teammate Unruh said: "It was very beautiful on the podium."
First Paris Medal for German Archery Federation
The German Archery Federation celebrated its first medal at the Games in Paris. While gold still eludes the archers at the Olympics, they can be proud of their silver. In the final rematch from last year's World Championships, the Asians proved more experienced than Kroppen and Unruh.
"The Koreans unfortunately exploited our mistakes well, and it was over quickly," analyzed Unruh. "The 0:6 looks harsher than it actually was," said national coach Oliver Haidn. "Korea was a bit better, but we leave the arena with our heads held high."
Glorious Semi-final
At the 2023 World Championships in Berlin, the two adopted Berliners also won silver after a final loss. The South Koreans, who are generally considered the best archers in the world, had previously won the Olympic title convincingly three years ago in Tokyo. They also hold the world record in mixed doubles. This was particularly evident in the final, especially from Woojin, "one of the greatest archers of all time," said the German coach Haidn. "He always delivered when they needed him."
Haidn's proteges were not far behind. Especially in the semi-final against the USA (5:3), Kroppen and Unruh grew beyond themselves in difficult conditions with constantly changing wind. "The semi-final match was one of the best things you've ever seen in archery," praised the national coach. "I'm mightily proud."
After silver in 2016 through Lisa Unruh - Florian Unruh's wife - and bronze in the women's team in 2021 - which also included Kroppen - the Germans once again secured an archery medal on the biggest stage. Kroppen/Unruh improved from ninth place in Japan three years ago to a clear second place this time.
No Party Before Individual Competitions
However, the big silver celebration will have to wait, as the two are still in action in the individual events this weekend. Kroppen, who competes for SV GutsMuths Jena, will face former world number one Deepika Kumari from India on Saturday (10:22 AM). Berliner Unruh will face British opponent Tom Hall on Sunday (10:48 AM).
Then the two will try to repeat their performance from the mixed event. On the unique range in front of the impressive Invalidendom with a view of the Eiffeltower in the heart of Paris, the German team improved significantly after a rather lackluster start against Colombia in the first round (5:4), already defeating Mexico in the quarter-finals (5:1). The arrows hit the 70-meter distant targets more and more accurately.
The crowning achievement of the medal was the semi-final against the formidable American duo Casey Kaufhold/Brady Ellison, who went on to win bronze, and their 5:3 victory. Many shots in the 10-ring secured their place in the final showdown.
Targets at 70 meters distance
To score the maximum 10 points, a target area no larger than a CD, with a diameter of just 12.2 centimeters, must be hit. The arrows fly towards the target at over 210 km/h, curving by more than three meters in height depending on the wind.
Especially Florian Unruh showed great form despite challenging conditions. After his silver win, he was also asked about his wife, who had already brought home two Olympic medals. "I've got to try and catch up and get a medal too. It's just incredibly beautiful," he replied.
Despite their valiant effort in the final, Michelle Kroppen and Florian Unruh were unable to dethrone the South Korean duo Lim Sihyeon and Kim Woojin at the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, the German mixed team secured the nation's first medal in archery at these prestigious Games.
Furthermore, Kroppen and Unruh showcased their remarkable skills once again in the mixed event, overcoming the formidable American duo casey Kaufhold/Brady Ellison in the semi-finals and securing a place in the final showdown.
