Hampered by gusty winds, Amaya Paz-Cojuangco landed in fourth place after she lost to Sophie Dodemont of France, 125-133, in the women’s compound bronze medal match at the Hyundai Archery World Cup – Stage 3 in Salt Lake City, USA.
The wind was strong when Cojuangco released her first three arrows, according to online reports, and because of this, she had scores of 7, 9 and 8 for 24 point tally, while Dodemont made 28.
The world no. 43 Cojuangco tried her luck on her next two arrows and had no luck with lower scores.
On the other hand, Dodemont, was steady on her shots and the 2008 Olympic medalist in recover, was eight shots ahead when she took the bronze.
Dodemont’s triumph over Cojuangco came after she teamed up with Sebastien Peineau in winning the gold at the compound–mixed team over Russia, 153-149.
Despite her loss, Cojuangco’s feat in Salt Lake City is considered as the highest individual accomplishment by a Filipino archer in the women’s division at world level.
Ranked 28th in the qualification stages, Cojuangco scored a total of 632 after 60 arrows.
In reaching the medal round, Cojuangco breezed past Laura Longo of Italy, 145-140 in the first round.
She then pulled off a 141-140 upset over world no. 44 Natalya Adveeda of Russia in the second round.
Cojuangco and France’s Sandra Herve went on a shoot-off after both scored 137, with the Filipina firing a 10 on her final shot.
In the round-of-eight, Cojuangco upset world no. 9 Toja Ellison of Serbia, 142-140.
She then lost to eventual gold medalist and world no. 2 Sara Lopez of Colombia, 138-147 in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Dodemont settled for the bronze when she lost to eventual silver medalist and world no. 8 Linda Ochoa-Anderson of Mexico, 144-145 in the other semifinal clash.
In the same tournament last year, Cojuangco was eased out of the medal round by Lin Ming-Ching of Chinese-Taipei, 132-140, in the first round.
Back then Cojuangco also placed 28th in the qualification round.