Aditi Swami wins India's first-ever individual gold at World Archery Championships

Published at :August 5, 2023 at 6:08 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 5:22 PM

(Courtesy : World Archery)

The 17-year-old is also the Under-18 World Champion.

Aditi Swami added a new feather to her nation’s cap at the World Archery Championship 2023 in Berlin. The teenager defeated Mexico’s Andrea Bercerra 149-147 in the individual women’s compound event final on Saturday.

The victory meant that Swami secured the first individual world title for India. Aditi had to battle past her teammate’s challenge in the semi-finals. She squared off against compatriot Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the semi-final earlier in the day, beating the eventual bronze medallist 149-145.

Junior World Champion ✅Senior World Champion ✅17-year-old Aditi Swami wins 🇮🇳 India's first-ever individual gold medal 🥇 in the 🏹 Archery World Championships!! 🎉🤩#Archery #ArcheryWorldChampionships pic.twitter.com/no8d1bo5xi
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 5, 2023

Coincidentally, both Swami and Vennam along with Parneet Kaur were also part of the team that had won India’s first-ever gold medal at the World Championships, when the duo along with their partner Parneet Kaur won gold in the women’s compound team event on Friday.

In the Individual Women’s Compound semi-finals, Both Aditi and Jyothi were level after the first two ends at 59-59, but Swami got the edge she needed when Vennam closed out the third end with a nine. The U-18 world champion proved to be too strong for her veteran opponent as she kept on hitting perfect scores keeping Vennam in the trails.

17-year-old Aditi Swami crowned World Champion at the 🏹 #ArcheryWorldChampionships2023!! 🇮🇳👑She creates history as 🇮🇳 India's first-ever individual gold medallist 🥇 after defeating 🇲🇽 Andera Beccera in the Women's Individual Compound final.#Archery pic.twitter.com/FtLyHQSJcL
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 5, 2023

Swami finally wrapped the game up even though Vennam managed to close out the match with two tens in her final shots.

The final match between Becerra and Aditi Swami had all the components of a classic back and forth drama. While Swami started off on the front foot courtesy of her two perfect scores keeping a lead of 60-59, Becerra looked to reduce the deficit by the end of the fifth round. Swami was still leading at that time with a point of 120-117.

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However, after a slight slip up, the Indian regained her composure to ultimately win the gold medal. Aditi hit a 9 in her first shot and followed it up with back-to-back 10 shots. She only had to hit a 9 to win but she managed to find the bulls eye in her final shot as well sending the Indian contingent into a frenzy in Germany. Even though her Mexican adversary hit a perfect score in her final round, it was too little too late in the end.

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