16-year-old Aditi Gopichand Swami shines in Medellin

Aditi Gopichand Swami smashed the under 18 world record to qualify top in the third stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Medellin, Colombia.

At just 16, the Indian topped the compound women’s field with 711 points in the 72-arrow 50-metre qualification, ahead of compatriot Jyothi Surekha Vennam and home favourite Sara Lopez, the youngster finishing with a perfect 60.

The world number one compound man, Mike Schloesser, played a step above on the other side of the field, with a seven-point gap on top of qualifying.

Debutant Swami beat the previous best of 705, set only recently – in May – by Liko Arreola, who was also making her debut for the US senior team, finishing ninth (698).

“I feel amazing and I am very happy,” said the Indian teenager. “I didn’t expect that I was going to shoot like that and that score, but now I’m very happy with that score because I’m only 16 years old.”

It was a strong day for India, with three of the top six women including the top two – Swami and Vennam – with Lopez the next highest seed having led at the halfway stage.

That saw India (Swami, Vennam and Parneet Kaur) top the seedings in the compound women’s team event with 2119, just one point off the world record set by Korea last week in Singapore.

The Colombian trio of Lopez, Daniela Atehortua Meneses and Alejandra Usquiano finished second nine points back, as the two teams thrived on the same targets on the far left of the field in the headquarters of the Liga Antioqueana de Tiro con Arco.

Meanwhile, Mister Perfect enjoyed another fine outing in Medellin as he topped the compound men’s qualifying for the second year running here. The Dutchman’s score of 715 was seven clear of US athlete James Lutz in second.

“I was happy and very excited,” said Schloesser. “I came here with a really good feeling, as I love being here in Medellin.”

“It was challenging today, but that made it fun, and I really enjoyed it.”

Schloesser reached the final four in both of the Hyundai Archery World Cup stages so far this year, but the performance in Colombia was the best to date.

Trailing behind him were a quartet of athletes on 708, Lutz’s score matched by Sebastian Garcia of Mexico, USA’s Kris Schaff and Slovakia’s Jozef Bosansky, who were split by their respective number of Xs.

Abhishek Verma qualified in eighth just one behind, while he and Swami combined for 1418, topping the compound mixed team ahead of the Colombians and Danes.

And in the compound men’s team event, India had to settle for the second seed, the USA led the way with three of the top seven performers, Sawyer Sullivan joining Lutz and Schaff.

Action continues on Wednesday with compound team eliminations and recurve qualification.

Top seeds: Compound men

1. Mike Schloesser, Netherlands – 715 (8 circuit ranking points)
2. James Lutz, USA – 708 60 10s 29 Xs (7 points)
3. Sebastian Garcia, Mexico – 708 60 10s 28 Xs (7 points)
4. Kris Schaff, USA – 708 60 10s 26 Xs (7 points)
5. Jozef Bosansky, Slovakia – 708 60 10s 25 Xs (7 points)
6. Mathias Fullerton, Denmark – 707 60 10s 32 Xs (3 points)
7. Sawyer Sullivan, USA – 707 59 10s 25 Xs (3 points) 
8. Abhishek Verma, India – 707 59 10s 24 Xs (3 point)

Top seeds: Compound women

1. Aditi Gopichand Swami, India – 711 (8 circuit ranking points)
2. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, India – 708 (7 points)
3. Sara Lopez, Colombia – 707 (6 points)
4. Alejandra Usquiano, Colombia – 704 (5 points)
5. Tanja Gellenthien, Denmark – 703 (4 points)
6. Parneet Kaur, India – 700 53 10s 17 Xs (3 points)
7. Ella Gibson, Great Britain – 700 52 10s 24 Xs (3 points)
8. Daniela Atehortua Meneses, Colombia – 699 (1 point)