De Klerk picked up a silver medal earlier on Monday, losing by only one point to India’s Sangampreet Bisla in the men’s individual final.

The University of Pretoria student says the 149 to 147 score, which produced Team SA’s first medal at the 31st edition of the Universiade, is truly special.

"It's special, we've been preparing a long time for these games and to finally stand where we stand feels a bit unreal. I never thought I would achieve something like this. In the previous one I finished 7th so my only goal was to finish only better than 7th but finishing second is a bit unreal," de Klerk said.

"I had a chance to finish first but my opponent shot absolutely great and I'm happy with my silver medal."

De Klerk finished eighth in the final of the 30th edition of the games in 2019. The 22-year-old faced Bisla in those games and was hoping for an improved result four years later.

"We had a very interesting final. I met him at the previous university games, so I knew going to this match that I had an opportunity to beat him but all in all, I'm really happy about the results.

I couldn't complain, I shot my best and he just shot better at the end of the day and that's how archery sometimes it just works that way. I'm not disappointed in the result.

I'm actually happy that I could rise to the occasion and put myself in a place where I wanted to be."

LOUZANNE COETZEE

SA para-athlete Louzanne Coetzee deems 2024 a successful year

Louzanne Coetzee set to run the Soweto Marathon for the third time

Editors Pick