Asian Games 2023: Archers achieve historic feat after 45 years, boxing semifinals up next
Asian Games 2023: Indian archers have scripted a historic achievement at the Asian Games 2023, marking the country's first individual gold medal in archery since the sport's introduction to the event 45 years ago. Ojas Pravin and Abhishek Verma have paved the way for an all-Indian final showdown in the Men's Compound Individual event, ensuring that India will secure at least one gold medal in archery at the current games.
This remarkable feat has ignited a golden morning for India at the Asian Games 2023. Furthermore, Jyoti Surekha Vennam has advanced to the final of the Women's Compound Individual archery event, adding to India's medal tally prospects in the sport.
Silver medal at the Asian Games 2023 ????. Capping off a long and challenging season with a decent show.
Time to get some much needed rest, recovery and fun before we start the preparations for the Olympic year ????
Let’s go @paris2024 pic.twitter.com/1n9KkOyKHn — Sreeshankar Murali (@SreeshankarM) October 3, 2023
India's medal quest began in Canoeing, where Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh Salam clinched a bronze medal in the Men's Canoe Double 1000m event. Tejaswin Shankar is also vying for a gold medal finish in the men's decathlon event.
The focus now shifts to the boxing arena, with Preeti and Lovlina Borgohain poised to compete. Both boxers have already secured bronze medals, and a victory in the semifinal stage would guarantee India two additional silver medals.
Archery made its Asian Games debut in 1978 during the Bangkok edition, and since then, India had only managed to secure the top spot in archery once - in the men's compound team event in 2014. Despite coming close on previous occasions, including Tarundeep Rai's silver in the individual men's recurve event in 2010 and Abhishek Verma's silver in the individual men's compound event in 2014, India had yet to clinch an individual gold in archery at the Asian Games.
????????♂️ Medal Alert ????♂️????
Huge cheers for Arjun Singh and Sunil Singh Salam! ????????????.
The duo has clinched a well-deserved Bronze in the Men's Canoe Double 1000m event with a timing of 3.53.329 at the #AsianGames2022! ????♂️
???????? Let's cheer out loud for our champs????#Cheer4India… pic.twitter.com/sYMxuCqHLL — SAI Media (@Media_SAI) October 3, 2023
This historic day for Indian archery witnessed Abhishek Verma and Ojas Deotale defeating their Korean opponents to secure India's first-ever individual gold medals in Asian Games archery. The all-Indian gold medal match is scheduled for October 7, promising a thrilling contest between the country's top archers.
In another remarkable achievement, the pair of Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh secured a hard-fought victory with scores of 11-10 and 11-8 over a Hong Kong duo in a Pool D match, further enhancing India's archery dominance at the event.
India's excellence in archery was further underlined as Abhishek Verma and Ojas Pravin both qualified for the final of the Men's Compound Archery event, guaranteeing a gold medal for India, with the potential for a 1-2 finish. Pravin secured his spot in the final by defeating Jeawon Yang with a score of 150-146 in the semifinal match.
The Asian Games 2023 continues to witness exceptional performances by Indian athletes, and the nation eagerly anticipates the upcoming matches and medal ceremonies, celebrating these historic achievements in sports.
Also Read: 19th Asian Games: India men's cricket and women's hockey team enters into semi-final
- With inputs from agencies
