India had a dream outing in the World archery championships with 17-year-old Aditi Swami and 21-year-old Ojas Deotale winning the first ever women’s and men’s individual titles for the country in Berlin on Saturday.
A day after contributing to the country’s maiden gold medal victory in the women’s team event, Aditi – who had claimed a golden double in under-18 category in the World youth championships a month ago – became the first Indian and the youngest ever to win an individual World crown.
Aditi and the experienced V. Jyothi Surekha, who pocketed a bronze, scripted the first instance of two Indian archers securing podium finishes in an edition of the World championships.
With Deotale’s gold, India – with three golds and a bronze – finished the event with its best ever showing.
High on confidence, Aditi, the youngest of the three Indians who made it to the quarterfinals, led the way by edging out Dutchwoman Sanne de Laat 148-148 (shoot-off: 10*-10, shot closer to centre) in the quarterfinals and upsetting 27-year-old second-ranked compatriot Jyothi Surekha 149-145 in the semifinals.
In a tense final, Aditi held her nerve to beat Mexican Andrea Becerra 149-147 (30-29, 30-30, 30-29, 30-29, 29-30) while dropping only a point in the fifth and final end.
“My preparation helped me as I focused on my rhythm and my shot. I want to win the Asian Games gold and continue to win gold medals,” said Aditi.
Jyothi Surekha, who got past compatriot Parneet Kaur 149-143 and lost to Aditi, shot a perfect score to defeat Turkey’s Ipek Tomruk 150-146 and pick up the bronze. It was her third Worlds individual medal and eighth overall.
A composed Deotale displayed great consistency as he beat Poland’s Przemyslaw Konecki 148-144 in the last-eight, World No.1 Dutchman Mike Schloesser 149-148 in the semifinals and another Polish opponent Lukasz Przybylski 150-149 in the final by shooting a perfect score.
“It’s the result of practice, practice and practice. It’s still like a dream for me,” said Deotale.
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