Indian archers continue their impressive performance on the international stage, securing multiple medals at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya, Turkey. The event, held from June 18 to 23, showcased India’s talent and determination in archery, with notable successes in both recurve and compound events.
On June 23, the Indian mixed recurve team of Bhajan Kaur and Dhiraj Bommadevara clinched the bronze medal. They faced off against Mexico’s Alejandra Valencia and Matias Grande in a tightly contested match, emerging victorious with a score of 5-3. This win highlights the duo’s synergy and skill, adding another accolade to India’s growing list of achievements in archery.
This success follows the gold medal performance by the Indian women’s compound team. The trio, consisting of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Gopichand Swami, outscored Estonia 232-229 to secure their third consecutive World Cup medal. Their consistent performance throughout the tournament has cemented their status as the world’s top-ranked women’s compound archery team, a testament to their dedication and teamwork.
In the men’s compound event, Indian archer Priyansh claimed the silver medal. He narrowly missed the gold, losing to the world number one, Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands, by a single point with a score of 149-148. This close finish underscores Priyansh’s competitive edge and potential to challenge the best in the world.
Despite these successes, the Indian men’s recurve team faced a setback in their quest for an Olympic berth. The team fell short of securing a Paris 2024 Olympics quota, losing to Mexico in the quarter-finals of the Final World Quota Tournament. This outcome was a disappointment, but the team remains determined to regroup and prepare for future opportunities to qualify.
The Antalya World Cup was the last major event for recurve archers before the qualifying period for the Paris 2024 Olympics ends. India’s 12-member contingent aimed to build on their success from previous stages, where they topped the medal table in Shanghai and secured gold and silver in Yecheon. Their performance in Antalya has further solidified India’s reputation as a formidable force in international archery.
Looking ahead, the World Cup Final is scheduled for October in Mexico. This event will see the top performers from all stages of the World Cup compete for the ultimate honours. India’s archers, buoyed by their recent successes, will be aiming to continue their medal-winning streak and further establish their dominance on the world stage.
In summary, the Indian archery team has demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience at the World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya. Their achievements, including bronze in mixed recurve, gold in women’s compound team, and silver in men’s compound, reflect the depth of talent and competitive spirit within the team. As they prepare for the World Cup Final and continue their pursuit of Olympic qualification, India’s archers remain a source of national pride and inspiration.
