Finance
Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Ojas Deotale combined to defeat South Korea in the compound mixed team gold medal match at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre on Wednesday, giving India its first gold medal in archery sports.
India won the gold medal by defeating the Republic of Korea 159-158 in the final.
This was India’s 16th gold medal in Hangzhou, bringing the country’s overall score to 71, surpassing its previous best-ever medal haul of 70 in Indonesia in 2018. Aside from the 16 gold medals, India has earned 25 silver and 29 bronze medals, placing it fourth in the medals total behind China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
The Indian combination of Jyothi and Ojas took an early lead in the final against the Korean pair of So Chaewon and Joo Jaehoon, winning the first round 40-39.
Chaewon, a female archer from Korea, hit a nine and a ten, while teammate Jaehoon hit two tens. The Indians each received two tens to take an early lead.
The Indians maintained their lead in the second round as well, despite both teams shooting 40. However, a nine by Deotale in the third End gave the Koreans a 40-39 victory and tied the score at 119-119.
However, in the final round, Ojas and Jyothi each shot two perfect 10s, while the Koreans could only score 39, including a nine by the female Korean archer on the first arrow proving the stumbling block.
Thus, Jyothi and Ojas won the final 159-158 to clinch the gold medal.
This was their first medal in the Asian Games for both Jyothi and Ojas and both are in contention for more, having reached the final of their respective individual competitions.
