3:11pm Friday 12th March 2010
Oxfordshire's Nichola Simpson had two reasons to celebrate after striking gold and a bronze at a test event in India ahead of the Commonwealth Games later this year.
She helped England win team gold on Thursday, before yesterday winning an individual bronze in the third-place play-off against Scotland’s Tracey McGowan.
Simpson had lost to home favourite Gagandeep Kaur in the semi-finals.
The gold was won by Jersey’s Lucy O’Sullivan who beat Kaur in the final.
In the team event, Simpson combined with Andrea Gales and Nicky Hunt to beat Malaysia 219-214 in their semi-final and set up a final against the host nation.
The final was a cliffhanger. India were 111-109 up after two of the four ends, but England took the third end 59-57 to level up and the two teams tied at 54-54 to make the score 222-222.
The gold medal contest went to a three-arrow shoot-out.
Gales, Simpson and Hunt each hit a ten to seal victory against India, who shot eight, nine and eight.
After her bronze victory, Simpson said: “I was a bit disappointed with the semi-final.
“I was a bit nervous before it, which is unusual for me.
“I was really pleased to turn it around with the bronze medal. I redeeemed myself by shooting that much better.”
Simpson felt that competing would give her an advantage if she were selected for the Games.
“It’s been fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed it – everything about it has been great. I’m really pleased to have had the opportunity to come here.
“It’s given us a good insight into what to expect. I think it will give us an advantage.”
Around 100 archers from ten nations took part in the event at the Yamuna Sports Complex in Delhi.
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