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Vennam breaks through as Bosansky also secures first win in Antalya

22 April 2023

Antalya, Türkiye

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Jyothi Surekha Vennam wins compound women’s gold at Antalya 2023.

India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Slovakia’s Jozef Bosansky ended their long quests for major victories as they won on compound finals day at the opening stage of the 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.

Vennam crowned an incredible week with her first World Cup stage gold medal at the 20th time of asking – over an 11-year career.

“I’m actually short of words,” said the 26-year-old, who has finished third and second at the last two world championships. “I’m really happy and thankful to many people. I won this but there are so many people behind me.”

“This is the first tournament of the season and we have World Cup stages lined up, World Championships, Asian Games and my first appearance in the World Cup Finals.”

Having beaten world number one Ella Gibson in the semifinals, Vennam shot a near-perfect score of 149 points to upset seven-time Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion Sara Lopez in the gold medal match. Lopez dropped first, with her fourth arrow, and although Vennam put her ninth out there was little chance of the Colombian catching up.

Jyothi has been the cream of the compound women’s crop this week, matching Lopez’s world record of 713 during qualifying and taking mixed team gold with Ojas Pravin Deotale.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to all of the tournaments ahead,” she said.

It’s taken Bosansky nearly as many tries to reach the podium of a Hyundai Archery World Cup stage – and his first medal is a good one.

The 46-year-old Slovak’s career-defining result today came thanks to a thrilling, 149-148, victory over US teenager Sawyer Sullivan, himself among the medals for the first time.

An expressive presence on the shooting range, Bosansky led from wire to wire and only a nine in the third end separated him from a perfect score.

“I’m excited, I feel like a child when they’re given a surprise present,” Bosansky said. “I need to go and cry! I wanted to go up onto the stage like a winner and stay positive.”

Another maiden medallist was in-form Italian Elisa Roner, who recovered from a narrow, 146-144, loss to Lopez in the semifinal to claim bronze – her first, and surely not last, appearance on the circuit podium.

Her bronze medal match with Gibson was a see-saw affair with both archers holding the lead. But it was the 21-year-old who came up in the clutch in the single arrow tie-breaker, shooting second and landing a better 10.

Compound men’s bronze went to Juwaidi Mazuki of Malaysia, another first-timer on the podium, who claimed a 148-146 victory over defending circuit champion Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands.

Competition continues with recurve finals on Sunday in Antalya.