Picture Credit: Twitter
The World Cup stage 2 saw India claim three medals out of which two were gold and one bronze in Shanghai. Pratha mesh Jawkar announced his arrival on the world stage with a gold medal win in the compound category. The teen beat world No. 1 Mike Schloesser 149-148 of the Netherlands in the final to claim the gold.
Jawkar showed his laser-sharp focus as he dropped just one point in 15 arrows on his way to the win over the two-time former world champion. The 19-year-old beat Indonesia’s Dhany Diva Pradana, Korea’s Kim Jongho, Martin Damsbo of Denmark, and Choi Yonghee of Korea before securing his place in the final with a victory over Robin Jaatma of Estonia.
Sanjeeva Kumar Singh, India’s High Performance Director in archery said after the win, “He (Jawkar) stayed focused during the final match. It enabled him to win gold.” The archer even got appreciation from industrialist Anand Mahindra who replied to Jawkar’s video from the finals, “Just incredible. He seems like he has nerves of steel and a laser-sharp focus. A champion in the making. You’re right, @SudhirPuthran, I hadn’t heard of him until today but will track him from now on. I hope he triumphs in the final in Hermosillo in September. May he Rise!”
Other medal winners for India include Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Ojas Pravin Deotale who combined to clinch the compound mixed team crown. Avneet Kaur bagged a bronze in the individual women’s compound. Jawkar will now prepare for stage three in Medellin, Colombia which will take place in June. The finals are scheduled to take place in Hermosillo in September.
