World University Games: Bisla, Avneet Compound Champs
Indian archers sign off with best ever haul
The arrows pierced the bull’s eye. The medals draped the necks of Indian archers.
Monday was a day to remember for Indian archers at the 31st World University Games in Chengdu, China. Sangampreet Singh Bisla and Avneet Kaur emerged victorious in compound archery. And India registered their best-ever tally in the sport with three gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
Overall, India are at No. 4 in the medal standings, having won nine gold, three silver and five bronze. China (17-5-4) are on top. Korea (10-10-4) and Japan (10-6-7) are second and third, respectively.
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All of India’s three gold medals occurred in the compound section -- men's individual (Bisla), women's individual (Avneet) and mixed team (Saini and Pragati).
The lone silver too came from the compound category (Avneet, Purvasha Shinde and Pragati winning the women’s team event).
The compound archers also won two bronze medals -- men's team (Rishabh Yadav, Saini and Bisla) and men's individual (Saini).
The word ‘compound’ refers to the type of bow. Compound bows use a levering system of pulleys and cables which, once drawn past a certain point, require very little strength to hold fully drawn
Bisla reduced a point’s deficit after three point to pip Christian Beyers de Klerk of South Africa 149-147 to win the men's individual compound gold.
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Earlier, he edged out Aman Saini in a shoot-off in the semifinal after both were even at 147 after the regulation five rounds.
There was some consolation for Saini when he won the bronze playoff, beating Victor Bouleau of France 148-146. In all, Saini won three medals (one gold, two bronze).
Avneet defeated Alyssa Grace Sturgill in an exciting shoot-off for the women's individual compound gold.
For the recurve archers, it was a disappointing day. They only won a single bronze medal, which was secured by the team of Sangeeta, Tanisha Verma and Reeta Sawaiyan.
