The Indian duo of Abhishek Verma and V. Jyothi Surekha gave a fine performance to win a compound mixed team bronze medal in the World Games in Birmingham, USA, on Saturday.
The top-ranked Indian team, comprising Abhishek and Jyothi, defeated New Zealand 156-155 before losing to Colombia 159-157 in the semifinals.
In a neck-and-neck fight, Abhishek and Jyothi twice shot perfect scores of 40 as they pipped the Mexican pair of Andrea Becerra and Miguel Becerra (club mates, but no relation) 157-156 in the bronze medal match and ensured a podium finish.
With this, Abhishek achieved a personal milestone of bagging his 50th international medal. Abhishek also became the only Indian compound archer to get medals in all top-level events, including the World Championships, World Games, World Cup Final, World Cup stages, Asian Games and Asian championships.
"I thank my coach, my family and everyone who supported me. I hope compound archery gets introduced in the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games so that I can win medals for India in these elite competitions," said Abhishek.
Abhishek lost to Frenchman Jean Philippe Boulch 143-141 in the semifinals and Canadian Christopher Perkins 148-145 in the bronze medal to finish fourth in the men's individual competition.
