We this morning started off with everyone a little nervous. Again Brady was going to be shooting against a teammate. Not only are Jake and Zach teammates but they are silver medalists. All amazing archers. So not only did Brady have to shoot against an amazing archer but this was emotional...this was his friend.
It was a close match but he won and was on to the Quarterfinals in the afternoon. Lunch at the mall and back to the venue where multiple close matches had everyone on the edge of their seats.
His first match was against Japan - he won 6-2. Then it was on to the semi finals. He shot against Ku Bo-Chan of Korea and they decided to make the match really exciting by splitting points the first three sets. 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 it was too much to handle. Then they each one a set and it was time for a tie breaker. Brady shot an 8 and Korea shot a 9. Brady was on to the Bronze Medal match against the Netherlands while Korea went on to the Gold against France.
Brady won the bronze medal. First US Archer in 16 years (since 2000 Sydney Olympics - Vic Wunderle Silver) to win an individual medal. Very emotional moment for Brady and his fans in the stands...and I hear for his fans at home watching.
We stayed at the venue for what seemed like forever making arrangements to get everyone to the USA House as there would be another Order of the Ikkos ceremony now.
When we arrived Alfred and I were starved we went and got in line for dinner when a man approached Alfred and called him by name. We did have Team Brady shirts on so not surprising someone would recognize us but he seemed to actually know Alfred. It was his 7th grade teacher Mr. Dorman!!! Sam would be there for their Order of the Ikkos ceremony that night and Paul and Marla were there to watch. We visited, introduced the two medal winners and took some photos.
Brady had presented his Ikkos medal to his coach and stepfather Mel the night before....tonight he presented it to his mentor, former teammate and long time friend Butch Johnson. We finished our last night in Rio saying goodbye to our new friends and headed back to the hotel to pack.
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