Asian Games: New bows raise hopes

September 16, 2014 02:05 am | Updated September 17, 2014 05:30 pm IST - Vijayawada:

The compound archers are on cloud nine for they will be making history at Incheon by taking part in the 17th edition of the Asian Games.

For the archers pursuing the mechanised format, this is yet another opportunity to showcase their skills in a premier tournament, despite inadequate appreciation compared to those pursuing the traditional format (recurve).

They are in a happy frame of mind for they will be marching towards the shooting line with their brand new bows (Hoyt Pro Comp Elite), courtesy Sports Authority of India and Archery Association India.

The two-week bow-tuning session under the watchful eyes of former world champion Dee Wilde, father of renowned archer Reo Wilde in Salt Lake City (USA), has helped them attain the right frame of mind.

“They are consistent in their releases and punching medal-winning scores,” said India coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja in an interview through Skype.

Says Vijayawada-based teenage archer Vennam Jyothi Surekha: “We are practising six hours — three in the morning and three in the evening daily.”

The coach says the weather in Korea was perfect and the archers were raring to go. “It is neither hot nor cold. It (weather) suits archery. We are identifying mistakes and carrying out corrective measures, especially the elbow positioning, diligently.”

Jiwanjot says India will face tough competition from host Korea, Chinese Taipei, Iran and China.

“China has been doing well for the past two years. Our consistent performance in the Asian championships will be of immense advantage.”

The Indian team comprising, Abhishek Verma, Rajat Chouhan, Sandeep Kumar, Govindas Singh Thokchom (men) and Vennam Jyothi Surekha, Purvasha Sudhir Shende, Lily Chanu and Trisha Deb (women), are in Gwangju, 250 km away from Incheon, training under Jiwanjot and Ranjan Waribam of Army Sports Institute.

They will be taking part in the team championships and individual ranking round.

“The women’s team is hauling around 230+ out of 240 while the men are more consistent in punching 233-234-235 out of 240. Hope they continue to maintain their momentum until D-day.

“In the individual ranking, men archers are accumulating 350/360 while the women are garnering 344-345 out of 360. These scores are certainly medal-winning scores,” says Jiwanjot.

The stocks of compound archers soared when the 25-year-old Abhishek was conferred the Arjuna Award.

Rajasthan’s Rajat Chauhan brought smiles to his fellow archers’ faces by emerging as the first compound archer to make it to the World Cup final at Lausanne before bowing out in the quarterfinals.

“Being in the top eight in the world is certainly a creditable feat,” says Jiwanjot.

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