Indian Women’s Compound Team Seals Second Gold at Asian Games
The Indian women’s compound team showcased their skill and determination as they secured a second gold medal in archery at the Asian Games. In a thrilling final, the top-seeded trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, and Parneet Kaur defeated their Chinese Taipei rivals by a single point.
Dominating the Final Round
Jyothi, Aditi, and Parneet put on an outstanding display of their archery prowess, shooting a perfect 60 out of 60 in the final end. This remarkable feat allowed them to overcome their third-seeded opponents with a score of 230-229 in the last three arrows. With this victory, the Indian team secured their fifth archery medal in the tournament.
Achieving Record-Breaking Success
This gold medal was particularly significant as it marked India’s second gold in this edition of the Asian Games. The Indian compound mixed team, comprised of Jyothi and Ojas Deotale, had secured the top spot on the podium in the compound mixed team event earlier in the week. With these achievements, India has guaranteed themselves at least five medals in archery at this continental showpiece, surpassing their previous best performance at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, where they won one gold, one silver, and one bronze.
Impressive Performances by Individual Archers
In addition to the team’s success, individual archers also shone on the field. Jyothi, in particular, confirmed at least a silver by advancing into the women’s compound individual summit clash. Meanwhile, Ojas Deotale and Verma set up an all-Indian final in the men’s compound individual category, ensuring two medals for the Indian side.
The Road to the Gold Medal Match
Before the final, the Indian women’s compound team crushed their fourth-seeded opponents with a resounding victory of 233-219. This impressive performance paved their way to the gold medal clash against Chinese Taipei. The top-seeded Indian trio continued their dominance in the quarterfinals, easily eliminating their lower-ranked Hong Kong opponents with a score of 231-220.
On the other side of the competition, the Indonesian team of Ratih Zilizati Fadhly, Syahara Khoerunisa, and Sri Ranti fought their way to the semi-finals with a hard-fought 232-229 win over formidable Kazakhstan.
Dominating from the Start
The Indian team displayed their superiority right from the beginning, shooting perfect 10s in their first set of six arrows. As a result, their rivals from Indonesia faltered, slipping to a score of 51 and conceding a nine-point lead to the Indian team.
The Indians capitalized on their early advantage, with Parneet Kaur, their lowest-ranked qualifier, stepping up in style. Her impressive performance contributed to India’s massive 14-point victory.
Overall, the Indian women’s compound team’s outstanding performance at the Asian Games highlights their exceptional skill, determination, and teamwork. Their success is a testament to the talent and commitment of these remarkable archers, bringing pride not only to themselves but also to their nation.
Photo: PTI
