Archery World Cup | Compound archers Ojas, Jyothi confirm first medal, face Korea in final
The Hindu
Compound archers Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha confirm first medal in the World Cup Stage 2 and face Korea in final.
India's compound archery team once again brought cheers confirming its first medal from the World Cup Stage 2, as recurve archers continued to falter, here on May 19.
The new-look pair of Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam remained on course for a second successive World Cup gold when they defeated their Italian rivals 157-157 (19*-19) in a dramatic finish to make the final.
As expected, the sixth seeded Indian duo will run into top-seed Korea in the final on May 20, in what would be their biggest test since they paired up for the first time, winning the Stage 1 World Cup gold in Antalya last month.
Also Read: Jyothi scripts fairytale finish with gold medals in compound mixed team and individual events
The Indians started off eliminating Bangladesh 158-151 in lopsided pre-quarterfinals, while in the next round they overcame a strong challenge from Turkey to emerge 157-156 winners.
Italy's Elisa Roner and Elia Fregnan had a one-point lead shooting a perfect 40 in the first end. The Italians once again shot a 40 in the third end to extend their lead by two points (117-119).
But Mr. Ojas and Ms. Jyothi showed remarkable composure to drill in two Xs en route to shooting 40 in the fourth end to force a shoot-off where the Indians sealed the issue with their arrows landing near the centre.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.