PTI3 minute reading
Continuing their dream run, India’s mixed team duo of Ojas Pravin Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam on Saturday stunned heavyweights South Korea to win successive World Cup gold medals at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai.
After winning the World Championship Stage 1 gold in Antalya last month, the pair continued their newfound chemistry and fired with ease to edge the top-seeded Korean team 156-155. India was also successful in the individual composite events as Prathamesh Jawkar won gold while Avneet Kaur won bronze.
Jyothi-Ojas and seasoned Korean pair Kim Jongho and Oh Yoohyun shot identical 39 out of 40 in each of the first three ends. In the end, the Koreans cracked under pressure as Deotale and Jyothi came up with a 39 again to seal back-to-back WC gold medals.
After making an early exit in the individual division, Jyothi had a perfect start to the final, although her 20-year-old partner struggled for a perfect 10. However, Ojas complemented her partner well and brought out her best as Jyothi missed the 10 one couple of times as the duo showed off their chemistry.
Locked 117-117 heading into the final end, Jyothi shot a 10 with her final arrow while a measurement was needed on Oh Yoohyun’s final arrow to confirm the Indians’ victory.
This duo is collecting gold medals this season. ������#ArcheryWorldCup pic.twitter.com/YbjHDhBCAe
– World Archery (@worldarchery) 20 May 2023
“Throughout the WC, our coordination and shooting process was very good. And also in the final, we focused on our shooting process,” Jyothi said after the win.
Jyothi has now made a strong start to the 2023 WC season with three gold medals, including one in the individual division in Antalya. The Vijayawada archer is now dreaming big with the World Archery Championships in Berlin in a few months.
“World Championships is the most important event for us. And winning gold medals is a big boost to our confidence. We look forward to continue the momentum,” she added.
It was another gold for India after Jyothi-Ojas’ victory for the mixed team, with 19-year-old Prathamesh Jawkar winning gold in the individual composite event after a thrilling final against former world champion Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands 149-148.
THE NEXT FIGHT ����
Prathamesh Jawkar ���� wins his first ever individual gold in the circuit in Shanghai.#ArcheryWorldCup pic.twitter.com/pwQ85QvMpp– World Archery (@worldarchery) 20 May 2023
Jawkar was in excellent form throughout the competition, defeating top seed Kim Jongho of South Korea in the second round (149-147), while also picking up another impressive win over #8 seed Choi Yonghee of South Korea in the quarterfinals (149 -148 ), before his victory over ‘Mr. Perfect’ Schloesser confirmed his first individual medal.
18-year-old Avneet Kaur also defeated top seed Oh Yoohyun of South Korea in the third round in a nail-biting contest, but lost to Ella Gibson of Great Britain in the semi-finals by a 144-146 margin. She then defeated Ipek Tomruk of Turkey in the bronze play-off (147-144) to grab her first individual medal after a bronze in a team event in 2022.
First individual medal for Avneet Kaur ������#ArcheryWorldCup pic.twitter.com/J61LAfYZp5
– World Archery (@worldarchery) 20 May 2023
