World Championships triple silver medalist Jyothi Surekha Vennam clinched the women’s mixed individual gold in an entertaining but controversial final after beating a twice-powerful Korean challenger at the Asian Archery Championships here on Thursday.
After winning three silver medals at the Yankton Worlds in September, Jyoti defeated 2015 world champion Kim Eunhee 148–143 in a one-sided semi-final to win India’s first gold one-point victory (146–145) against Oh Yuhyun. was with.
With a two-point lead in the final set, world number six Jyoti twice took 10 and 9-ring assists to give India their first gold medal as the Korean was struck in the 9-ring in a controversial decision. was enough.
The entire Korean contingent, including the coaches, challenged it as 10, but the judge declared it as 9, resulting in India’s favour.
“The arrow was completely missing 10. All the Korean coaches went on target, which according to the rules is not allowed to pressurize the judge. As per the rules of world archery, it is a judge’s call and it cannot be opposed,” said an Indian coach in Dhaka.
Jyothi started with three perfect 10s in brilliant fashion drilling and took a 20-29 lead.
But two 9s at the other end meant that the 25-year-old Indian scored 28 runs as the veteran Korean scored two 10s on the way to 29, taking the score to 58.
The Andhra archer showed great restraint, with three 10s from his three arrows in the third set, once again turning the match in his favor to take an 88-86 lead.
Both the archers shot a perfect third round with scores of 30-30 and all eyes were on the finish line as Jyothi captured her slim one point advantage.
Needing 10 off the final arrow to take the match into a shoot-off, Yohyun missed the ring by a millimeter and the judge dismissed the Korean opposition.
It proved to be a sweet revenge for the Indian, who won a silver medal in the mixed team event to end her campaign with two medals after losing by one point to the top-seeded Koreans. Jyoti was accompanied by 19-year-old Rishabh Yadav in the mixed pair event.
After being locked at 38-all in the opening round, the experienced Korean pair of former world champions Kim Eunhee and Choi Yonghee scored four perfect 10s to win 155-154.
It was India’s second medal of the competition and also for 19-year-old Yadav, who won the team bronze on Wednesday along with former Asian Games gold medalists Abhishek Verma and Aman Saini.
Making his Asian Championship debut, Yadav surpassed his mentor Verma to be the best among Indians in the individual ranking round and qualified for the mixed team event.
In the small gap game, the Indian pair managed just two 10 seconds with their four arrows at the other end.
There was an opportunity in the third end when the Koreans scored two 9s, as the Indian pair needed all 10 to complete it. But they managed three 10s from their four arrows as the Koreans maintained their narrow lead to grab the gold.