NEW DELHI: Indian archers achieved a historic feat by winning a bronze medal in the recurve section at the Asian Games, ending a 13-year wait for a medal in this category. The Indian women's team consisting of Ankita Bhakat, Simranjeet Kaur, and Bhajan Kaur secured the bronze medal by defeating Vietnam. The unfancied Indian team was seeded fifth but put up a remarkable performance.
In the bronze medal match against Vietnam's Do Thi Anh Nguyet, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhi, and Hoang Phuong Thao, the Indian archers triumphed with a score of 6-2. The sets went as follows: 56-52, 55-56, 57-50, and 51-48 in favor of India.
This medal holds great significance as it marks India's first medal in the Olympic category in archery at the Asian Games since 2010. It was in Guangzhou in 2010 that India won an individual silver and team bronze medals in both men's and women's recurve team events.
India's archers have already had a successful campaign at the 2022 Asian Games, securing three team gold medals in the compound mixed, women's, and men's sections. Abhishek Verma and Ojas Deotale are competing for a top-two finish in the compound individual section, setting up an all-India final. Additionally, Jyothi Surekha Vennam has advanced to the women's compound individual final, guaranteeing at least a silver medal.
This bronze medal in the recurve section is a significant milestone for Indian archery and adds to the country's medal tally at the ongoing Asian Games.
(With PTI inputs)
