Archery World Games: Abhishek Verma, Jyothi Surekha Vennam win bronze

Birmingham (USA), July 10

Indian archers Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam won a bronze medal in the compound mixed team event at the World Games.

The Indians edged out Mexico’s Andrea Becerra and Miguel Becerra by one point. After India took the first round, the Mexicans bounced back to win the second. But Verma and Jyothi held their nerves to return strongly in the third end before slotting in a perfect final round to clinch it 157-156 on Saturday.

According to an Archery Association of India statement, this was India’s first medal at the World Games. It was Verma’s 50th podium finish at the international level. Verma is now the only Indian archer to win medals at the World Games, World Championship, World Cup Final, World Cup, Asian Games and Asian Championship.

Verma’s individual campaign however ended in disappointment. Having eliminated world No. 1 and world champion Mike Schloesser of USA in the quarterfinals, World No. 5 Verma suffered a 141-143 loss to world No. 4 Jean Philippe Boulch of France.

In the bronze medal playoff, Verma lost 145-148 to lower-ranked Christopher Perkins of Canada.