Archery: Rival's absence opens door for Teasdale

Shaun Teasdale. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand archery ace Shaun Teasdale has firmed as a Commonweath Games gold medal favourite after confirmation that his arch rival has pulled out.

Former world compound bow champion Dietmar Trillus of Canada withdrew, citing security fears in Delhi, leaving Aucklander Teasdale with mixed emotions.

"I wouldn't say that's good because I'd like to beat him again, but him pulling out makes the field just that little bit easier," said Teasdale. "You want to be the winner on the day but you want to beat the best field you possibly can - you don't want to win by default."

Teasdale has soared into the spotlight this year, winning a World Cup round in Shanghai followed by a top-four finish at the recent World Cup final in Edinburgh. There he beat Trillus in the first round courtesy of a one-arrow shootoff, after the pair were locked at 5-5.

The 21-year-old is ranked first in the Commonwealth after a stellar year that he admits has surprised him.

The acquisition of a new bow courtesy of his United States sponsors plus "getting my head in the right place" had been behind his rapid ascent.

Teasdale was impressed with facilities at the Games range.

He and fellow world-class compound archer Stephen Clifton will line up for the ranking round before one-one-one elimination rounds begin tomorrow. They combine for the team competition starting on Wednesday.

Teasdale's post-Games targets are a lucrative indoor event in Las Vegas followed by the world championships in Turin, Italy, in July.

- NZPA