Dhaka: The Triple Silver World Championship Medal Jyothi Sureka Vennam beat the mighty Korean challenge twice, including in the final which was gripping but controversial, to win gold individual gold in the Asian archery championship on Thursday.
Fresh from winning three silver medals in Yankton’s World in September, Jyothi beat the 2015 world champion Kim Yunhee 148-143 in the sloping semifinals, before sealing India’s first gold against Oh Yoohyun with a one point win (146-145).
Lead by two entry points to the final set, the world number six Jyothi shot one 10 and hit a 9-ring twice, which was enough to land the first gold medal after Korea crashed 9-ring in a controversial decision.
All Korean contingents including challenging coaches, believing it became 10, but the judge gave him 9, giving results in Indian aid.
“The arrow is completely lost 10.
All Korean coaches go to targets that are not permitted according to the rules to put pressure on the judge.
According to the rules of the world’s archery, it is a judge’s call and cannot be protested,” said an Indian coach in Dhaka.
Jyothi started with a spectacular mode drilling in three Perfect 10s to lead 20-29.
But two 9 at the second end meant that India was 25 years old scored 28 years, when experienced Korean shot two 10s on a 29th trip, which flattened the score 58-all.
Demonstrating extraordinary tranquility, Andhra Archer tilted the match once again with three 10 of his three arrows in the third set to advance 88-86.
The two archers fired the perfect third round with a score of 30 each and all eyes were at the last end with Jyothi holding on to his slim one point advantage.
Need 10 in the last arrow to take the match to shoot, Yoohyun missed a ring with millimeters with judges who put aside Korean protests.
It turned out to be a sweet revenge for Indians who settled silver on a mixed team after losing to seeded Korea with one point to conclude the campaign with two medals.
Jyothi has a 19-year-old Rishabh Yadav company in a mixed pair event.
After being locked 38-all in the opening round, a Korean duo who was experienced from the former world champion Kim Yunhee and Choi Younghee improved, shooting four perfect 10s on the way to win 155-154.
This is the second medal of the second competition and also for the 19-year-old YADAV that has pocketed a bronze team along with the former gold medalist Asian Games Abhishek Verma and Safe Saini on Wednesday.
Making his debut at the Asian championship, Yadav defeated his mentor Verma became the best among Indians in the individual ranking round and qualified for the mixed team event.
In a small margin game, the Indian couple only manages two 10 of their four arrows at the second tip.
There was an opportunity at the third tip when Koreans shot two 9s, because the Indian partner needed all 10 to ignite him.
But they managed three 10 of their four arrows because Koreans adhered to their narrow leadership to win gold.