Kolkata, May 7, 2011: Indian men’s recurve team, putting behind all the disappointments of the past three days, made a telling impact on the ongoing World Cup (Stage I) archery tournament at Porec (Croatia), by making a triumphant entry into the final on Friday, according to Press release of the Indian Archery Association.
Ranked fifth, India, well served by Rahul Banerjee, Jayanta Talukdar and Tarundeep Rai, produced one of the biggest upsets of the event by beating Korea by 219-217 points in the semifinals. India will take on the U.S. in the gold medal match.
The women’s side, consisting of Deepika Kumari, Laishram Bombayla Devi and Seema Verma, lost out in the bronze medal play-off to Germany by 202-209 points to finish fourth in a tough field.
The old story returned to haunt the compound archers as the men were eliminated in the first round by Iran, ultimate bronze medal winner, by 227-233. The women did a shade better winning the opening round against Mexico (220-210) but coming a cropper in the quarterfinals against the third-ranked France by 218-220.
The Indian men’s team, entering this tournament as World No. 1, could only finish fifth in the ranking round. Yet, the Indian trio rose to the occasion to take out first 12th ranked Canada (216-197) and then fourth ranked Italy (224-217), thus exacting a sweet revenge to the loss it suffered in last year’s final. This victory brought India face to face with Korea. The Indians held the nerve to shoot down the Koreans (219-217) to march into the final.
The U.S. troika, Brady Ellison, Joe Fanchin and Jake Kaminsky, has done well till the final and will be waiting for the Indians in the 24-arrow finale. Korea clinched the bronze medal defeating Ukraine (223-209).
Indian women too began very promisingly out shooting 15th ranked Colombia (209-201) and ousting 10th ranked Denmark (216-210) in the quarterfinals. Russia, ranked third, proved too strong to second-ranked India in the semifinals (200-191) sending the latter to the bronze medal play-off. Russia will face Korea in the final.
The U.S. will play Denmark in the compound men’s final and it will be be a France-Sweden showdown in the ladies' final. Russia defeated Italy for the bronze medal.
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