Shiu Fook Sien, only 17, narrowly landed his second arrow of the shoot-off on the six-line, but Franck Eyeni, Landry Damité Tamini and Aka Jean Jacques Rabi Atcho were unable to capitalise.
Tamini’s six tied the first set 49-49, with the second and third ends shared between the teams – Mauritius winning the second, Côte d’Ivoire the third – before a 51-51 fourth end tied proceedings.
In the sudden death, Atcho’s low five proved costly. Mauritius, keeping their composure under the bright Ivorian sun, shot nine, nine and eight to claim historic gold.
In a gesture of sportsmanship, Eyeni personally congratulated the Mauritian team after Sien’s winning arrow, presenting each archer with a gift.
Côte d’Ivoire still enjoyed a fine day in the team finals, taking gold in the recurve women, recurve under-18 men and barebow mixed team events, alongside silvers in recurve men, recurve under-18 women and recurve under-18 mixed, giving them six team podiums overall in Abidjan.
