New Delhi, 27 March (H.S.):

India’s compound archers are continuing to impress at the Asia Cup–World Ranking Archery Tournament (Stage‑1) in Bangkok, taking their overall medal count to four after a strong Friday programme. The Indian camp added a gold and a silver in the compound events, raising the tally to one gold, one silver and two bronze for the country. The bronzes had come earlier in the week on Wednesday, from the women’s recurve team and the men’s compound team.

The day’s highlight was the gold medal won by the top‑seeded compound mixed team of Chikitha Taniparthi and Rajat Chauhan, who edged out second‑seeded Malaysia 158–156 in a tightly contested final. The match was decided by the finest margins, with the Indian pair dropping just two points over 16 arrows, against four by their Malaysian opponents Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh and Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki.

Taniparthi and Chauhan began the bout strongly, hitting four consecutive 10s and then maintaining their rhythm throughout the pressure‑laden contest. After three rounds, India led 118–117, and in the final round they landed all four arrows in the 10 ring to seal the victory. This marked a significant improvement over the last edition, where India had failed to win a medal in the mixed team compound event.

In the women’s compound team final, India ended with silver, going down 227–229 to Kazakhstan. The team of Chikitha Taniparthi, Raj Kaur and Tejal Salve started well, leading 115–113 after 12 arrows. However, in the third round they managed 54 points while Kazakhstan scored 58 to move ahead.

The fourth round ended 58–58, but the cumulative advantage from the earlier round carried Kazakhstan over the line. Despite the loss, the silver represented an upgrade from the previous edition, when India had taken bronze in the same category.

India’s archery contingent now has its sights on four more potential podium finishes later in the day, with finals scheduled in women’s recurve individual (Ridhi Phor), men’s recurve team and men’s compound individual, where an all‑Indian final is assured. The campaign so far underscores the growing depth and consistency of India’s compound archery programme on the continental stage.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar