Indian compound junior pair wins first world title in Madrid

Raginee Markoo and Singh Sukhbeer beat Switzerland’s Janine Hunsperger and Andrea Vallaro, 152-147, to win India’s first compound junior mixed team gold medal at the Madrid 2019 World Archery Youth Championships.

“I’m so happy today, it’s special, it’s something I dreamed of,” said Raginee. “I will try to win more medals in the senior competition. I have no words today.”

The Indian duo averaged 38 points per end thanks to Sukhbeer’s inspired performance. He put six of his eight arrows in the match in an excellent group in the very middle of the target.

Seeded 10th in Madrid, India upset second seed Russia and Iran to make the final against Switzerland.

The silver medal is Switzerland’s first podium finish at a world championships since 2006. Vallaro said: “We are happy. Silver is still a great result. Of course, we were hoping for gold, but we will train for next time.”

Switzerland’s archers communicate in English because different parts of the country speak Italian, French and German.

“I think we were quite good as team,” said Janine. “It’s complicated in Switzerland with the languages, but I think we did well. We look forward to the next competitions.”

Sunniva Lislevand and Anders Faugstad of Norway beat Geesa Bybordy and Danial Heidarzadehdehkordi of Iran, 158 to 156, to take compound junior mixed team bronze.

The 2019 World Archery Youth Championships takes place on 19-25 August in Madrid, Spain.