Katharina Bauer credited teammate Florian Unruh and coach Oliver Haidn after reaching the recurve mixed team gold medal match at the third stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya.
Bauer and fellow Olympian Unruh secured their place in Sunday’s final after beating Italy’s Roberta Di Francesco and Mauro Nespoli, 6-2, finishing strong with impressive 40- and 39-point ends.
The Vegas Shoot bronze medallist said her performance was due in large part to the guidance she received on the shooting line from her more experienced teammate and national coach.
“It’s always a pleasure to shoot with him and I’m really happy with today,” said Bauer, who just missed the mixed team podium at this venue during April’s Spring Arrows European Grand Prix. “I just made my shots and didn’t feel any nerves, because Flo [Florian Unruh] was really a big help for me. He always calms me down with his personality, because he seems to not be nervous at all.”
“It was the same for me today, and with Oliver [Haidn]. He always had the right words. He always tells me to prepare my shot well, that’s the key for my shot, but also like, ‘Calm down, breathe’.”
“He helps me through the shot with some keywords, as if we are training normally, and he knows exactly when to say them, so this calms me down while competing.”
It’s little wonder Haidn has such a profound effect on his archers.
The 54-year-old former German national champion has accumulated more than a decade of coaching experience at the sport’s highest level since taking over from Martin Frederick (now coach of Bangladesh) in 2011. He has since led Germany’s recurve team through four Olympic Games and seven World Championships.
