After a rather disappointing day at the 2013 Archery World Championships in Antalya, Turkey, yesterday, there was some positive news for India as the mixed team of Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam made a fine run into the semi-finals of the mixed compound event.
India’s campaign in all the individual events ended rather prematurely including early exits for India’s biggest medal hope, Deepika Kumari.
Abhishek and Jyothi though, put together a fine run as they charged into the final four.
In the pre-quarters, the 11th seeded Indians (from qualifying) beat the 6th seeded pair from Denmark 150:147 and in the quarters got past another highly fancied team – the Koreans – beating them quite comfortably 153:144.
But their run was cut short in the semi-finals by the Russians, who won their semi-final match up 150:147.
Despite the loss, their performance was a source for some cheer for the Indian contingent who have had a disappointing campaign in Turkey. Also, Abhishek and Jyothi will fight for the bronze in the third-place playoff match on Saturday against the United States.
The USA, who were the top seeds, were upstaged by Italy in the other semi-final 154:147.
Abhishek and Jyothi’s run stood out as India didn’t fare all that well in the other team events, much like the individual ones.
The men’s recurve team of Jayanta Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai and Kapil, who had qualified an impressive 2nd, were dumped out in the very first round (pre-quarters) by 15th-seeded Ukraine 177:172.
Deepika Kumari, Dola Banerjee and Chekrovolu Swuro did get past the pre-quarters, but were demolished in the quarter-finals by a red-hot Mexican team featuring the likes of Alejandra Valencia and Aida Roman.
The full results of the Indians teams from the elimination stages yesterday is below.
Compound mixed
(Pre-quarter-finals) India (11) beat Demark (6) 150:147
(Quarter-finals) India (11) beat Korea (3) 153:144
(Semi-finals) India (11) lost to Russia (2) 147:150
Recurve men
(Pre-quarter-finals) India (2) lost to Ukraine (15) 172:177
Recurve women
(Pre-quarter-finals) India (12) beat Japan (5) 165:161
(Quarter-finals) India (12) lost to Mexico (4) 176: 195