Top five achievements of Indian archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam

She recently returned with two gold medals from the Archery World Cup 2023 Antalya Stage 1.

26-year-old Compound archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam is turning out to be an unsung hero from India. The Andhra Pradesh athlete started the 2023 season on a great note by equalling the qualifying score (713) at the Archery World Cup Stage I 2023.

She followed it up by winning two back-to-back gold medals in the mixed team and individual events. In this article let us discuss her achievements in detail.

First athlete to win Arjuna Award after Andhra Pradesh state bifurcation

Surekha became the youngest athlete to be awarded the Arjuna award (2017) from South India and is also the first sportsperson to receive it after the Andhra Pradesh state bifurcation. The then chief minister N.Chandrbabu Naidu awarded her a cash prize of Rs1 crore along with a housing site of 500 sq. yards in Vijayawada or Amravati after she was awarded the Arjuna award for her achievements in Archery.

Limca Book of World Records

The Arjuna awardee entered the prestigious Limca Book of World Records after she crossed the Krishna River three times in just three hours 20 minutes and six seconds at the age of four. The compound archer started her career as a swimmer and then started archery as a nine-year-old in 2007. Jyothi made her International debut in the year 2011.

Asian and World Record Score

Jyothi Surekha Vennam shot a new personal best score, equalled the world record, and created a new Asian Record after scoring 713 in the compound women’s qualification round at the Archery World Cup Antalya Stage I 2023. The Indian equalled the World Record of 713 created by Sara Lopez during the 2015 Colombian National Selections. The Asian record in Compound Qualifying was previously held by Korean archer So Chaewon, who scored a total of 709, at the 2017 Asian Championship in Doha.

First Individual Gold Medal at Archery World Cup Stage I 2023

The 26-year-old won her first gold medal in the women’s individual compound event defeating World Record Holder Lopez in the final (149-146). En route to the final, Jyoti defeated World Number 1 Ella Gibson convincingly to book a place in the summit clash.

First Gold Medal at World Archery Championships

After securing several silver and bronze medals at the World Championships over the years, Jyothi finally broke the deadlock and secured her first gold at the World Archery Championships in 2023. The women's team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Gopichand combined to beat top seed Mexico to clinch gold medal.

Achievements at the Archery World Cup 2023 Stage I

- Equalled the World Cup qualifying score (713)

- Qualified for the World Cup Finals 2023

- First Individual gold at the World Cup

- Ends campaign with two gold medals (individual and mixed team)

- Fell one point short of creating a World Record in the mixed team event.

Major Achievements of Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the Junior and Senior Circuit

Senior

Gold Medal - Paris World Cup (2022), Asian Archery Championships (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021).

Gold Medal - World Archery Championships (2023)

Gold Medal - Asian Games 2023 (women's individual, women's doubles and mixed doubles)

Silver Medal - World Championships (2017, 2021), Asian Archery Championships (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021).

Bronze Medal - World Championships (2019), Asian Archery Championships (2011 and 2017).

Junior

Gold Medal - Mexican Grand Prix (2009 Olympic round)

Bronze Medal - World Youth Archery Championships (2013) and Asian Archery Championships (2011)