The Indian women’s compound archery team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Muskan Kirar and Raj Kaur came from behind to down Turkey by three points and win the bronze in the World Championships here on Saturday.
Jyothi led the fightback as the Asian Games silver medallist overcame a jittery start to shoot six perfect 10s out of eight arrows to seal a 229-226 win and open India’s account.
Jyothi then clinched another bronze in the evening session when she pipped World No. 2 Yesim Bostan of Turkey 10-9 in the shoot-off after the duo was locked 145-all in five ends of 15 arrows each. “Last time (Mexico City 2017) we won a silver, but no regrets. We are happy to finish on the podium this time too,” Jyothi said.
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“World Championship medal means a lot as it comes after two years,” added the 22-year-old from Vijayawada.
India is also in the fray for a first-ever World Championship gold with the men’s recurve team taking on China on Sunday in a bid to upgrade its 2005 Madrid silver.
The Turk team of Yesim, Gizem Elmaagacli and Ipek Tomruk shot four perfect scores to win the first end by two points (57-55) with Jyothi starting off with an 8.
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“The shot was good but I failed to fathom why it hit the outer (8) circle. But it’s okay,” she said.
In the second end, the Turkey team failed to find the centre even once, while shooting an 8. Indians snatched the opportunity and grabbed a three-point lead, winning by 58-53 with Jyothi finding her rhythm back.
Trailing by three points at the midway stage, the Turks got off to a solid start to the third end with four perfect shots and an X to aggregate 58.
But the Indians remained unnerved and shot three 10s and one closest to the centre to level the third end (58-58) that kept their three-point lead intact.
“It’s my first world championship medal, so I’m really excited,” Raj Kaursaid.