Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam celebrate after winning gold. Image: SAI media
Teenager Indian archer Prathamesh Jawkar produced a stunning show and upset World No 1 Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands to grab a maiden World Cup gold medal in the men’s individual compound section at Stage 2 of the World Cup in Shanghai on Saturday.
Also winning a gold medal were the mixed compound team pairing of Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam who defeated favourites South Korea in the final. Vennam and Ojas had also won gold at the World Cup Stage 1 in Antalya last month.
Prathamesh, who had earlier eliminated the Kim Jongho and Choi Yonghee of South Korea, continued his giant-killing act to defeat the Dutchman 149-148 in the final.
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The 19-year-old dropped just one point from 15 arrows en route to defeating the two-time former world champion. The one-point miss came in the first end as both archers remained level after starting off with 29-all.
Second, third and fourth ends saw both hitting the target with equal precision. The difference emerged in the fifth end where the 29-year-old Dutchman faltered, capping a 9 to hand the Indian teenager his first World Cup gold.
Earlier, the newly-formed pair of Ojas and Vennam shot with composure to pip the top-seeded Korean team 156-155.
Both the Indian duo and the experienced Korean pair of Kim Jongho and Oh Yoohyun shot identical 39s out of 40 in each of the first three ends.
In the final end, the Koreans dropped their level as Deotale and Jyothi came up with a 39 again to seal their back-to-back World Cup gold medals.
Having made an early exit in the individual section, Jyothi had a perfect start to the final, even as her 20-year-old partner struggled for a perfect 10.
Ojas, however, complemented well and brought out his best when Jyothi missed the 10 a couple of times, as the duo showed perfect chemistry at the highest level.
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.
“Throughout the World Cup, our co-ordination and shooting process were very good. And in the final too, we focused on our shooting process,” Jyothi said.
Jyothi has now made a strong start to the 2023 World Cup season with three gold medals including one in the individual section at Antalya leg.
The Vijayawada archer is now dreaming big with the World Archery Championships in Berlin a couple of months away.
“World Championships are the most important event for us. And winning the gold medals is a big boost to our confidence. We look to continue the momentum,” she added.
With PTI inputs
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