By Kristel Satumbaga
Andrea Robles bolstered her Southeast Asian Games buildup with a Cinderella run in the 2019 Macau Indoor Archery Open held recently.
Cool and deadly, Robles took the individual title in women’s compound with a stunning 141-135 win over world championship runner-up Paige Pearce of the United States.
Seeded fourth, Robles hinted of good things to come when she edged top seed Sarah Prieels of Belgium, 146-145, in the semifinals.
“I’m feeling really good. I’m feeling really happy that I [won], especially because it’s my first time at these events,” said the 21-year-old Robles in an interview with worldarchery.org.
“I’m just having fun with it, training my best and enjoying.”
Robles qualified in the Olympic round after finishing fourth with 579 points behind Prieels (589), world No. 1 Alexis Ruiz of the United States (586) and Pearce (584).
She bested hometown bet Xu Lumeng and Australia’s Natalie Duncan before her upset win over Prieels.
Though the tournament was held indoors, the victory boosted Robles’ confidence heading into the SEA Games.
