Picture Credit: Twitter
The Indian compound mixed team archery duo of Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam put on an impressive performance at the ongoing World Archery Games 2022 in Birmingham. The two archers combined together to win a bronze medal by getting the better of their rivals from Mexico by one point at the World Games. Verma and Jyothi Surekha defeated Andrea Becerra and Miguel Becerra 157-156.
Having started off with a perfect first round, the Indian duo faced some resistance from Andrea Becerra and Miguel Becerra, who leveled the second end. But the India duo of Verma and Jyothi held their nerves and made a strong comeback in the third end before slotting in a perfect final round to clinch their bronze medal playoff game 157-156 on Saturday.
According to an Archery Association of India statement, this was India's first-ever medal at the World Games. Meanwhile, for former World Cup gold medalist Verma, this was his 50th podium finish at the international level. With this bronze medal, Verma is now the only Indian archer to win medals at all stages of compound archery -- World Games, World Championship, World Cup Final, World Cup, Asian Games, and Asian Championship.
Disappointment for Abhishek Verma in individual competition
While the 33-year-old Verma stole the show alongside Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the compound mixed duo event, he failed to go big in his individual competition. After a promising start to the tournament where he eliminated world No. 1 and world champion Mike Schloesser of the USA in the quarters, Verma failed to capitalize in the knockouts and ended his campaign on a rather disappointing note.
Verma failed to overcome the French challenge of Jean Philippe Boulch in the semifinals. The Indian archer suffered a 141-143 loss to the French world No. 4 who is one place ahead of the Indian. Then, in the bronze playoff, he lost to lower-ranked Canadian Christopher Perkins 145-148.