Indian archers stole the show at the just concluded Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai, China. The delegation demonstrated tremendous domination, notably in the non-Olympic compound archery category, winning a magnificent three gold medals across all team events.
This complete sweep is a remarkable achievement for Indian archery and demonstrates the country’s rising competitiveness in the sport.
The first act of this golden symphony came in the women’s compound team event. The trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, and Parneet Kaur, who qualified as the top seed, faced off against a determined Italian team in the finals. The Indian women showcased exceptional precision, dropping a mere four points across 24 arrows. Their consistency proved too much for Italy’s Marcella Tonioli, Irene Franchini, and Elisa Roner, as India secured a convincing victory with a final score of 236-225.
The men’s compound team event followed, with Abhishek Verma, Priyansh, and Prathamesh Fuge defying their status as underdogs. Having qualified as the fourth seed, the Indian men faced a strong challenge from the Netherlands’ Mike Schloesser, Sil Pater, and Stef Willems. However, the Indian squad responded to the occasion, delivering an almost faultless performance. They started well with a perfect score of 60 in the first end and remained calm throughout. Despite surrendering a couple of points in the following ends, they remained composed and won another gold medal with a final score of 238-231.
The final chapter of India’s golden story unfolded in the mixed compound team event. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, fresh off her gold medal win in the women’s team event, teamed up with Abhishek Verma to create a formidable duo. The reigning Asian Games champion, Jyothi, and the experienced Abhishek displayed remarkable synergy, edging out a narrow 158-157 victory against the Estonian team. This win not only added another gold medal to India’s tally but also secured a double gold for Jyothi, further solidifying her position as a force to be reckoned with in the world of archery.
The mixed composite team event became the closing chapter of India’s golden narrative. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, fresh from winning gold in the women’s team event, paired up with Abhishek Verma to form a strong combo. The reigning Asian Games champion, Jyothi, and the veteran Abhishek demonstrated exceptional synchronization in a 158-157 triumph over the Estonian duo. This victory not only added another gold medal to India’s collection but also earned a double gold for Jyothi, cementing her status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of archery.
