Archery Australia’s recurve men have officially launched their 2025 international season at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 1, held in Central Florida, USA, from 8 to 13 April. Competing at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, the team faced challenging weather conditions and a strong international field, delivering commendable performances that set a positive tone for the year ahead.
The week commenced with official practice sessions under cold and wet conditions, providing an early test for the athletes. The unique range setup, spanning two baseball fields, presented varying wind patterns that required the team to adapt quickly. Despite these challenges, the archers utilized the practice time effectively, calibrating their equipment and acclimating to the environment.
In the qualification rounds, all three Australian recurve men advanced to the elimination stages. Jai Crawley led the team with a score of 657, securing 17th place, followed by Ryan Tyack with 651 in 26th, and Alex Smith with 620 in 53rd. Their combined efforts positioned the Australian team 11th in the team rankings, setting up a match against the host nation, the United States.
The team match against the USA proved to be a formidable challenge. Despite cohesive teamwork and strategic shooting, the Australian trio was unable to overcome the consistency of the American team, resulting in a straight-set loss. With the team event concluded, focus shifted to individual matchplay.
Jai Crawley emerged as a standout performer in the individual rounds. He commenced with a confident 6-2 victory over Poland, followed by a remarkable comeback against China, overturning a 0-4 deficit to win 6-4. Crawley’s journey concluded in the quarterfinals with a 1-7 loss to Chinese Taipei, marking his best individual finish at a World Cup event to date. Reflecting on his performance, Crawley stated, “I’m really happy with the first World Cup this season. Excited to see what the rest of the season looks like.”
Ryan Tyack also showcased strong form, defeating Brazil 6-2 before a 2-6 loss to Indonesia in the round of 16. Alex Smith faced a challenging match against China, resulting in a 2-6 defeat in the round of 32.
While the team did not secure podium finishes, the experience gained and the individual achievements, particularly Crawley’s quarterfinal appearance, provide a solid foundation for the upcoming stages of the World Cup circuit. Archery Australia commends the athletes and support staff for their dedication and professionalism throughout the event and looks forward to continued progress in the season ahead.
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