NEW DELHI: Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, the top-seeded Indian archery pair, exhibited remarkable confidence and precision as they clinched their second gold medal in archery at the Asian Games. The Indian duo showcased their dominance by conceding just one point and narrowly defeating their South Korean opponents by a single point, securing victory with a final score of 159-158.
This gold medal victory marked a significant achievement for Indian archers at the Asian Games, setting them on course to win a minimum of four medals from the competition. This accomplishment surpasses their previous best performance at the Incheon Games in 2014 when they secured a men's team compound gold medal, one silver medal, and a bronze medal.
The Indian pair's journey to the gold medal was highlighted by a semifinal clash against Kazakhstan, where they demonstrated exceptional precision with just one '9' point and all other shots landing in the '10s.' This formidable performance propelled them to the final.
In an intense gold medal showdown against their Malaysian counterparts, the Indian archers held their composure, securing a narrow 158-155 victory to advance to the semifinals. Despite facing a strong challenge from Malaysia, Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam demonstrated their determination and skill.
The final, a battle between the top two seeded pairs, saw the Indian archers deliver near-perfect shots and emerge victorious with a final score of 159-158, narrowly defeating the South Korean duo of So Chaewon and Joo Jaehoon.
This remarkable achievement signifies the Indian archery team's growing prominence on the international stage and their ability to consistently deliver exceptional performances. With this gold medal, India has secured a substantial medal haul at the Asian Games, matching their previous best feat at the Incheon Games in 2014, and showcasing their potential for future success in archery.
(With PTI inputs)
