Ella Gibson became a world record holder on day three of the 2023 European Games as the archer’s persistence paid off in style.
The 23-year-old smashed Sara Lopez's 50m compound record, which had stood for eight years, during the ranking round of competition, shooting a total of 715 out of a possible 720.
Gibson has been plagued by equipment issues of late but overcame those on this occasion as she returned to her best in Poland.
"This record means so much to me," she said.
Ella Gibson you beauty 😍
— Team GB (@TeamGB) June 23, 2023
It's a World Record for the individual compound archer.
📸@worldarchery#EuropeanGames2023 pic.twitter.com/femncUBiYv
"Last year I shot 712 three or four times, so that’s been really frustrating, and so many times I've been near, and I’ve just missed out.
"In Colombia last year I opened with 359 and still didn't make it.
"This year’s been really difficult for me, I’ve had lots of trouble with things going wrong and things breaking.
"I actually came out here and opened up my bow case and my rest was broken, so it's been a stressful year and a stressful week!
"So, it means so much to be able to finally do this, and not just do it but to get a PB by three points."
Gibson was on fire in 2022, earning individual World Games and European Indoor gold as well as the European Championship team title before marking herself out as the one to beat with world number one status.
This season has seen her struggling to break into the top three at the opening World Cup events but she has regained her self-belief at the perfect time.
"I shot plenty in the lead up to today, but I actually wasn't shooting very well yesterday in practice," she said.
"I spoke to my coach, and he said the reason I shot so well last year was because I had that total confidence about me, that I always knew when I shot an arrow it would be a ten.
"I woke up this morning and decided that today would be a good day and I wouldn't doubt myself, and that's what I've been saying all day."
Archery at the European Games ramps up over the next week and Gibson is now concentrating on keeping a level head.
She might now be the world record holder but there is still a European Games title at stake.
"What's next for me right now is that I'm going to go and eat something and chill," she said.
"As amazing as this day is and how important it is to me, I still have plenty more to do this week.
"A qualifier doesn’t equal a gold medal, so I still need to go and be prepared for matches and bring the same standards I had today to all of those."
Sportsbeat 2023