Asian Games 2023: Abhishek Verma, Ojas Pravin Deotale, Jyothi Surekha Vennam through to compound archery final

Aditi Gopichand progressed to the bronze medal match.

The Indian compound archers were in some fine form on Tuesday (October 3rd) morning, as three out of our four compound archers booked their place for the finals and now will be eyeing nothing less than a gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games 2023.

The day started with the women’s compound individual semi-finals, where Jyothi Surekha Vennam met the reigning world champion Aditi Gopichand Swami,17-year-old, from India. Both the shooters started well with 60/60, but Aditi took a step forward to take a one-point lead in the following round.

Surprisingly, Aditi lost concentration in the final series and ended up with a seven and nine in the last two arrows, which helped her compatriot take the win by scoring 149 points.

Meanwhile, in the men’s semi-finals, both Ojas Pravin Deotale and Abhishek Verma edged past the Korean challenge to assure India its first gold medal of the 19th Asian Games in archery. Abhishek defeated Joo Jae-hoon with a score of 147-145, whereas Ojas Pravin Deotale beat Yang Jae-won after scoring 150/150 for the second consecutive time today.

Abhishek, despite hitting a couple of 9s needed an eight to win the match, whereas Ojas looked in complete control throughout, as he shot a perfect score against the Korean. An All-Indian final awaits both Abhishek and Pravin.

The experienced Jyothi Surekha Vennam will be facing So Chae-won from Korea in the final, whereas Aditi Gopichand Swami will fight for the bronze against Fadhly Ratih Zilizati from Indonesia. India have already been assured of two silver and a gold medal in archery.