The Indian men's recurve team paid dearly for the shoddy shooting in the final end of six arrows and allowed the U.S. to win the gold medal in the World Cup (Stage I) archery meet at Porec (Croatia) on Saturday. The Americans won 221-219.
The Indians, Rahul Banerjee, Tarundeep Rai and Jayanta Talukdar, and the Americans tied the first end of six arrows at 56-56.
The Indians took a three-point lead in the second end of six arrows to lead the end at 58-55 for a total of 114-111.
The American trio of Jake Kaminsk, Joe Fanchin and Brady Ellison, took advantage of two 8s by the Indians to finish the third end of six arrows at 56-54 for an overall score of 168-167 which still gave India the lead.
The Indians seemed to have lapsed in concentration in the final end of six arrows as they shot three 8s which enabled the Americans to pull away to 54-51 in the fourth end for a final score of 221-219 in their favour.
This was India's second successive silver medal in this tournament.
Last year the Indian team consisting of Mangal Singh, Rai and Talukdar lost to Italy in the final.
India took the gold medal in 2009 and a bronze medal in 2008. — Special Correspondent
