Tokyo Olympics 2020 | Sjef van den Berg wants to end his career with a medal in shooting

Shooting from a distance of 70 meters at a “ring” (target) with a diameter of 122 cm, seems difficult enough. But the target is also divided into 10 12.2-centimeter rings in which shooters can earn 1 to 10 points from the outside in. The weather also has an effect because the shooting takes place outside. An almost impossible task to get close to the arrow for most people, but not for the 128 men and women who qualified for Tokyo 2020.

• What: archery
• The rugged: Yumenoshima Park
• When: Friday, July 23 to Saturday, July 31
• Where to see it: Eurosport 1 and discovery + sport
• Dutch participants: Gabriela Schlosser, Segev van den Berg, Jess Proxma and Steve Wegler
• Favorites: Kang Chae Young, Kim Woojin, Brady Ellison, Sejiv van den Berg, Deepika Kumari, Lisa Barbelin, Galsan Bazarshapov, Nicholas Damour

Shooting dash course

During the Olympics, only the recycled bow is used. The recurring arch owes its name to it and is recognizable by the points that curve slightly outward at the ends. There is also a mask on the bow. The reflex bow is the most commonly used bow and is often the first bow you learn for the long bow.

There are a total of five events during the games. There is an individual competition and a group competition for both men and women. In addition, a mixed team competition was added for the first time this year. This means that there are five gold medals awarded in archery. Points earned in individual qualification are also counted directly for team events. 64 men and 64 women from 49 different countries participate.

I killed my favorite South Korea

South Korea has the most medals in shooting in Olympic history, followed by the United States from a distance. During the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, the South Koreans broke out with all the gold (and then four) medals. Thus, the two biggest contenders between men and women are not very surprising South Koreans: Kim Woojin and Kang Chae Young.

After South Korea, the Americans are also one of the candidates in Tokyo. For example, Brady Ellison (currently No. 1 in the world) was included in the American team for the fourth time. Known locally as Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellison has two silver medals in the team event (2012, 2016) and an individual bronze medal (2016). The American received his bronze medal in a mutual fight with the Dutchman Sjef van den Berg. Nice medal for Ellison, but he hopes to get at least one gold medal in these games.

The Netherlands hopes for a medal

The Netherlands came close to a medal in both 2012 and 2016, but missed twice. Rick van der Veen had enough for a place in the final in 2012 with one perfect arrow, but in the decisive shootout “only” he got 9 points against 10 points of his opponent. Van der Veen also failed in the fight for the bronze and finished fourth. At the 2016 Games, the Dutchman took 27th place. In 2016, it was Sjef van den Berg who failed in the fight for the bronze medal.

Having won a medal almost twice, the Dutch are now eager to attack. The Dutch are trying this year without Rick van der Veen, who passed on the talented Gijs Broeksma. The 21-year-old Broeksma joins the undisputed number 1 and 2 in the Netherlands: Sjef van den Berg (26) and Steve Wijler (24). The Dutch team was completed by 27-year-old Gabriela Schlosser, the first Dutch archer to compete in the Olympics in 25 years. The twenty-four kids are doing everything they can to win the third medal in Dutch shooting history at the Games.

First female archer since 1996

The 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. At that time, Ludmila Arzanikova and Christel van Berkel Verstegen were present on behalf of the Netherlands. In the next five editions, there were no Dutch hand throwers at the Games. So far, Tokyo 2020. 27-year-old Gabriella Schlosser is preparing for her second Olympic Games. how is that possible? Five years ago, Gabriela Schlosser, then Gabriela Bayardo, was present at the Games in Rio on behalf of her native Mexico.

But a lot has changed for Schlosser in the past five years. The Dutch archer has now left Mexico City for Nuth in Limburg and has moved in with her boyfriend, as well as archer Mike Schlosser. Gabriella Schlosser is now settled and ready to help the Netherlands win a medal in Tokyo.

Last professional match with SJEF VAN DEN BERG

Sjef van den Berg was just 21 years old when he stole the hearts of Dutch sports fans during the Games in Rio. Few people knew “Sjefke” before his participation in the games, but as the tournament progresses, the sympathetic Brabander is gaining more and more fans. Until the quarter-finals, Van den Berg was almost clear, in the semi-finals and in the fight for the bronze medal, the Dutchman drops a few stitches. However, the cheerful Sjefke is remembered by the Dutch as a surprise and talented 2016. The archer has stolen hearts and high expectations for his future.

Planned

• Friday, July 23 Women’s Individual Qualifier at 02:00 AM and Men’s Individual Qualifier at 06:00 AM
• Saturday, July 24, Mixed Team Eliminations 1/8 at 2:30 p.m.; Quarter-finals 7:15 a.m.; semi-finals 08:31; Bronze Medal Match 9:25 a.m.; Gold Medal Match 9:45 a.m. (
• Sunday July 25, Women’s Team Qualifiers 1/8 at 2:30 p.m.; Quarter-finals 6:45 a.m.; semi-finals 8:17 a.m.; Bronze Medal Match 9:15 a.m.; Gold Medal Match 9:40 a.m.
• Monday, July 26, Men’s 1/8 Teams Qualifiers, 2:30 a.m.; Quarter-finals 6:45 a.m.; semi-finals 8:17 a.m.; Bronze Medal Match 9:15 a.m.; Gold Medal Match 9:40 a.m.
• Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 July Men’s Singles Eliminations 1/32 02:30 and 03:22 Qualifiers 1/16; Women’s Singles Eliminations 1/32 2:56 am and 3:35 am 1/16 Eliminations
• Friday 30 July Women’s Singles 1/8 Elimination 2:30 a.m.; Quarter-finals 7:45 a.m.; semi-finals 8:45 a.m.; Bronze Medal Match 9:30 a.m.; Gold Medal Match 9:45 a.m.
• Saturday 31 July Men’s Singles 1/8 Qualifying 2:30 a.m.; Quarter-finals 7:45 a.m.; semi-finals 8:45 a.m.; Bronze Medal Match 9:30 a.m.; Gold Medal Match 9:45 a.m.

Where to watch the 2020 Olympic Games?

A subscription to Discover+ (including access to TLC and Discovery ID channels) costs €5.99 per month and with this platform you can stream all sports and every medal you win live during the Olympics. There’s also a daily Medal Zone swap program at Eurosport 1 so you don’t miss out on any of the action.