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New-look India make compound mixed team final

21 avril 2023

Antalya, Türkiye

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India’s fresh combination in the compound pairs event found instant success, as they secured a final against Chinese Taipei at the opening stage of the 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya.

The recurve mixed team final will see Taipei take on the USA.

Last season, Jyothi Surekha Vennam collected a bronze medal at the World Games and victory at the Paris stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup with long-time running mate Abhishek Verma, who’s off the top Indian squad in 2023.

In his stead, she linked up with 20-year-old Ojas Pravin Deotale for the first time – and the new pairing, ably supported by new Indian coach and former Italian international Sergio Pagni, swept through the rounds to guarantee an early-season podium.

“I’m very happy,” Deotale said. “We all expected we could go to the final because we have a good team. My partner was in good shooting shape. And I was, too. We enjoyed a lot our shooting.”

The Indian pair wasn’t really challenged, shooting a pair of opening matches of 159 points before edging out Malaysia, 157-155, in the semifinals. An eight in the third end proved costly for Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh and the in-form Juwaidi Mazuki.

Malaysia will face Italy, featuring indoor circuit champion Elisa Roner. Roner, Vennam and Muzuki also made the individual final fours.

Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison’s gold medal match berth made it five consecutive recurve mixed team arena appearances for the USA on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit.

Of the previous four – only one has resulted in a win.

Paired in Paris last year, Kaufhold and Ellison took a dramatic win over Spain to secure the former’s first international podium-topping result. The duo again beat Spain, again represented by Elia Canales and Miguel Alvarino Garcia, in the Antalya semifinals to secure a shot at a repeat performance.

“It feels good,” Kaufhold said. “It’s kind of familiar now. We were in other medals matches in mixed team last year, so it’s nice to be back in a new season. Brady and I shot really well, so I’m happy with how it went today and to be in the final.”

Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Yi-Ching and Tang Chih-Chun, the eighth seeds, are the opponent in Sunday morning’s gold medal match.

“We’re very happy,” Tang said. “We were a little bit nervous, but the dream came true. We cheered each other on.”

Taipei spoiled Türkiye’s party by beating Mete Gazoz and Ezgi Basaran, 5-3, a closely-fought affair that slipped away from the host in the closing arrows. Olympic Champion Gazoz spent time consoling Basaran after the semi.

“In the last two sets, I had to shoot a 10 with my last two arrows. And I shot a nine, but it was so close. It’s a good experience for us,” he said. “Of course, we wanted to go for gold, but I’m happy. It’s our field and on Sunday we can achieve a podium.”

Competition continues with recurve eliminations on Friday afternoon in Antalya.