PARIS, France – When the arrow from Casey Kaufhold’s bow landed in the nine to secure bronze on Friday, there were tears and cheers as history was made with the USA’s first ever mixed team medal at an Olympic Games.
Kaufhold struggled to contain her emotions following the win over India, embracing her teammate and Olympic veteran Brady Ellison, who now has two silver and two bronze at the Games, and still has individual competition which resumes at the 1/8 stage on Sunday.
Also, Kaufhold became the first woman to win an Olympic archery medal for the USA since Melanie Hull, Debra Ochs and Denise Parker claimed team bronze at the Seoul Games in 1988.
“We feel awesome winning bronze today,” began Kaufhold. “We worked really hard for this and put a lot of time and effort into it. At the end of the day, we knew we were shooting good and we just had to stick to our plan and we did it.
“It’s hard to put into words what it means to win my first Olympic medal. I think my reaction on the stage said it all. That fist-bump, that screaming, that was all I was feeling … and that’s the best way I can describe it.”
Earlier, the USA pairing began the mixed team eliminations with a 6-0 win over Uzbekistan, followed by a battling 5-3 win over Japan. That put them up against second seeds Germany in the semifinals. Ellison and Kaufhold started the stronger, surging into a 2-0 lead. Germany would eventually emerge winners 5-3.
India then stood between the USA and an Olympic medal. Putting the semifinal disappointment behind them, Ellison and Kaufhold settled the soonest, taking the first two sets with scores of 38 and 37. India hit back in set number three but the USA were not to be denied as they finished with a 37 to India’s 35 and the bronze was assured.
"We went out there with a game plan that was a little bit different to what we normally do,” admitted Ellison. “I felt like we executed it brilliantly. I think it helped with our nerves and I think for the most part that we shot really well.”
He added with a broad smile, “We’re Olympic bronze medalists, it’s all there is to say!”
With bronze in the mixed team competition, Ellison must now ready himself for the men’s individual which will play to a finish in the French capital on Sunday. Having won two elimination rounds on Thursday, Ellison next faces Berkim Tumer (TUR). The winner will tackle Je Deok Kim (KOR) or Santiago Arcila (COL) in the quarterfinals.
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