Archery World Cup: Jyothi Surekha Vennam beats Sara Lopez to claim maiden individual compound gold

With her win, the 26-year-old Indian also booked her spot in the World Cup finals scheduled for later this year.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam continued her good run by winning her second gold medal at the Archery World Cup 2023 Antalya Stage 1. The 26-year-old defeated multiple-time World Cup gold medallist and World No. 3 Sara Lopez (149-146) in women’s individual compound final to claim her maiden gold medal at the World Cup (in the individual compound category). The Andhra Pradesh athlete has directly qualified for the World Cup finals scheduled later this year. 

Jyothi started her World Cup Stage I 2023 campaign on a great note by equalling the World Record (scoring 713 in the qualifying rounds). The record score helped her in securing the top seed. In the final against Sara Lopez, Jyothi shot 14 10s and only one 9 (along with four Xs). She maintained good consistency throughout the final with the opposition finding it hard to match Jyothi’s scintillating form.

The Indian compound archer had a smooth sailing en route to the final. Her first major test was against current World No.1 from Great Britain Ella Gibson. Jyoti pressed the accelerator at the right time and won a crucial encounter against Gibson progressing to the final. This is Jyothi’s first gold medal in the individual event. Earlier in the day, Jyothi combined with Ojas Pravin Deotale to win the gold medal in the mixed-team compound. 

The action shift to recurve archery tomorrow (23 April) with the men’s recurve team set to take on China in the gold medal match.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam’s performance at the World Cup Stage I 

Round 1 - defeats Myriam Hasler (145-137)

Round 2 - defeats Danelle Lutz (145-141)

Round 3 - defeats Ana Sofia Hernandez Jeon (145-138)

Quarterfinals - defeats Tanja Gellenthien (147-142)

Semifinals - defeats Ella Gibson (148-146)

Fina - defeats Sara Lopez (149-146)