11th Youth World Archery: Indian women win bronze medal

Kolkata, July 19, 2009
India’s cadet compound women’s team, comprising Prerna Bhagat, Nilam Kumari and Sairkonda Jayalakshmi, won a bronze medal on the penultimate day of the 11th Youth World Archery Championship at Ogden (Utah), in the U.S. on Saturday.

According to information reached here, Indians beat Russian Federation 211 (28) – 211 (26) after the two combatants tied at the end of 24 arrows. In the three-arrow shoot off, India managed 28 points to Russia’s 26.

Two other Indian teams, cadet recurve men and cadet compound men, lost to superior opponents, Italy and the USA, 199-215 and 207-229, respectively.

There was strong wind during the cadet women’s compound bronze medal play-off. The two teams tied after the first three arrows. Then Russia took the lead by eight points after six arrows. India managed to come back at 76-76 after one Russian girl shot only a two in the next end. India took the lead over Russia 105-102, 159-155.

The Russians finished with an impressive 58 in their last end of six arrows. This meant India had to shoot at least a nine to win with their last arrow. With only three seconds remaining for the hooter, the last Indian archer managed only an eight to tie the Russian team at 211-211. In the shoot-off, India proved to be the stronger side and claimed the bronze medal.

The American compound cadet boys started strongly with 10-9-10-8-10-10 for 57 points in the first end. The Indians had a big issue with time management. They did not shoot their last arrow and therefore received a zero. Their intermediate score was only 43.

The Americans did not let up with ends of 58, 57, 57. The Indians did shoot well for the remainder of the match with ends of 56, 58 but they could not come back. The U.S.A. won the bronze medal 229-207.

As the wind calmed a bit down for the latter part of the morning session, the Indian cadet recurve boys had the best start and led 56-53 points. They, however, ran into some problems in the second end with only 45 points. Italy took the opportunity with a good 54 to take the lead 107-101, and later on 158-152. The Italians kept shooting strong in the last end with 10-9-10-9-10-9 to clinch the bronze 215-199.

Source: Indian Archery Association press release