Archery world championships: Gold eludes India again, Jyothi Surekha Vennam gets third silver

Yankton (USA), September 26

Indian archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam lost a nerve-wracking final to Colombian world No. 3 Sara Lopez to settle for a silver in the compound women’s individual section at the World Championships here.

In the individual men’s compound event, three-time World Cup gold medallist Abhishek Verma made a quarterfinals exit, going down to world No. 1 Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands by just one point (147-148) in a tight contest.

Overall, India’s compound archers concluded their campaign with three silver medals, one individual and two in team events.

Ankita Bhakat is the lone archer in fray in the recurve competition and she will compete in her quarterfinals match later on Sunday.

Colombian nemesis

Jyothi was a member of the Indian women’s and mixed pair compound archery teams that won silver medals after lopsided losses to Colombia on Friday.

India were in pursuit of their first gold medal at the world event. For a country that doesn’t have a gold yet, India have made the most podiums at the event (11), appearing in nine finals and leaving with a silver medal each time.

Jyothi, who won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships in Den Bosch, Netherlands, was at her best and shot a perfect final end but the five-time world cup champion Sara proved superior and clinched the match by two points (146-144).

Sensational 150

In the quarterfinals, Jyothi started in sensational style, with her first-ever 150 — perfect 10s in each of her 15 arrows across five ends — on way to defeating the reigning under-21 world champion Amanda Mlinaric of Croatia by six points. “It’s been a great day today because I’ve shot my first 150 in an international tournament and I’m super happy,” Jyothi said.

She went on to defeat Andrea Becerra of Mexico 148-146 in the semifinals but in the final, her Colombian opponent proved too tough for her.

For Jyothi, this was her second silver medal at the World Championships as she became the only Indian archer to have four podium finishes at the biennial showpiece.

Jyothi had bagged a silver (Mexico 2017) and a bronze (Den Bosch 2019) in the team events in previous World Championships.

Silver lining

“I’m happy because last time I won the bronze and this time I won the silver,” the 25-year-old said. “I just thought I should repeat my process and keep faith me, so I did just that.”

Jyothi dished out a consistent performance in the final, shooting 28, 29 and 29 in her first three ends, but the Colombian opened up a two-point lead at the halfway mark, drilling in seven perfect 10s with two X (closest to the centre) from nine arrows.

The Indian shot three 10s from three arrows in the final end but that was not enough as Sara wrapped up the match by two points.

Jyothi concluded her campaign with three silver medals. Asked if she regretted missing out on gold, she said: “Not 100 per cent, but it’s okay, one has to win and one has to lose.”

Her next target is the Asian Championships, to be held in Dhaka on November 13-19. “Currently that is my next goal,” said the Andhra archer. — PTI

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