US archers ousted in surprise loss to Indonesia in Tokyo
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Archery – Mixed Team – 1/8 Finals – Yumenoshima Archery Field, Tokyo, Japan – July 24, 2021. Mackenzie Brown of the United States and Brady Ellison of the United States during competition REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
TOKYO—The United States suffered a surprise loss to Indonesia in the mixed-team at archery competition on Saturday, dashing the 8th-ranked pair’s medal hopes.
Indonesian pair Dinanda Choirunisa and Riau Salsabilla, ranked 36th in the world leading into the event, now go on to the next round to face Turkey in a quarterfinal, ahead of the final later in the day.
“Honestly, I’m so shocked … like I completely expected us to win a medal today,” world No.1 Brady Ellison said after the loss to Indonesia in 1/8 eliminations.
His partner Mackenzie Brown said it was frustrating to compete without fans in attendance.
“It’s supposed to be big and give you goosebumps every time you walk out into a venue. And we’re out here by ourselves. You know, we’ve got our teammates, but there’s nobody out here,” she said.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Archery – Mixed Team – 1/8 Finals – Yumenoshima Archery Field, Tokyo, Japan – July 24, 2021. Diananda Choirunisa of Indonesia and Agata Riau Ega Salsabilla of Indonesia react REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
“It is disappointing. To work for five years for an Olympic Games and then not to have any spectators at all is a little bit frustrating.”
The mixed team event is a new addition to the Olympic program, featuring pairs of athletes, one woman and one man, from the same country. They compete head-to-head in set system matchplay similar to the team event.
No fans are allowed into the Tokyo venue due to coronavirus protocols, so the archers only had their teammates to cheer them on.
“Make some noise for Team USA,” a games announcer said through a loudspeaker, to muted response.
