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by Mary Beth Vorwerk – USA Archery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2004
ATHENS, Greece – Vic Wunderle, the only remaining U.S. competitor in individual competition for archery at the 2004 Olympic Games, was eliminated by Italy’s Marco Galiazzo today in the quarterfinals.
In a very close round of eight match, 2000 Olympic individual silver and team bronze medalist Wunderle (Mason City, Ill.) and 27th ranked Haifeng Xue (CHN) nearly matched each other shot for shot throughout the entire match. The two competitors stayed within one to two points of each other and after the first six, then nine arrows, the score was tied.
After 12 arrows, Wunderle was down 110-108, but came back to tie the score after 15 at 137. It came down to the final arrow and first Xue shot a nine, then Wunderle ended with a perfect 10 to take the match 165-164 and advance to the quarterfinals.
“I’m kind of coming down off of a high right now after that match, but I feel like I am shooting really well and with the top eight, anything can happen,” said Wunderle. “I am going to go into the quarterfinals and give it my best. I’ve been sitting on an individual silver medal for four years and it would be really nice to take home the gold today.”
In the quarterfinals, Wunderle faced third ranked Galiazzo for the 12-arrow match. It was once again a close match, with the score tied at 25 after three arrows and Wunderle ahead 55-53 after six arrows. Wunderle fell behind 81-80 after nine arrows and Galiazzo took the match 109-108.
“I would’ve liked to hit the 10-ring a couple more times, but I gave it my best effort and came up a point short,” said Wunderle. “I can’t be disappointed with that.”
Galiazzo went on to win the gold medal after defeating Hiroshi Yamamoto (JPN) 111-109 in the finals.
Archery competition is taking place at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, and it is built on top of the ancient Stadium dating from 329 B.C. The competition runs until August 21, with the women’s team round taking place on Friday, August 20. They will take on Greece in the first round at 9:51 a.m. The men’s team will face Sweden in the first round at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 21.
For complete results, please visit www.usarchery.org or www.athens2004.com.
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