Archery World Cup Shanghai: Prathamesh wins individual gold, Jyothi-Ojas clinch mixed team title

India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Ojas Pravin Deotale made it two gold medals from two finals this season as they defeated top seeds Korea to clinch the compound mixed team title at the Shanghai 2023 Archery World Cup stage 2 on Saturday.

The headliner of the day though was Prathamesh Jawkar who defeated the world No 1 Mike Schloesser in a thrilling final to clinch the individual men’s gold medal.

Earlier, Avneet Kaur won the bronze medal in the women’s compound individual event, capping a fine week that finished with her first senior World Cup stage individual podium finish.

The Indian mixed team pairing defeated Oh Yoohyun and Kim Jongho 156-155 in a thrilling gold medal match to stand top of the podium in the season’s second World Cup. They had won gold at the season-opener in Antalya last month, where Vennam had also won the individual gold last month.

With Korea having skipped the World Cup in Antalya, this gold medal would feel extra special for the Indians as they defeated the archery powerhouse who had set the pace all week in Shanghai.

The final started with both teams shooting a flurry of 39s out of 40 in each of the first three Ends. While Vennam started the final brilliantly, the youngster Deotale took his time to get going, dropping a couple of 9s in the early stages. But when Vennam dropped a couple of 9s herself, he was there to make up for it with a 10 immediately. In the final end that started 117-117, Vennam shot a clutch 10 with her final arrow and one of Korea’s arrow which was borderline, was marked 9 to give India the title.

Vennam and Deotale made it to the final of the compound mixed team event with a fine shootoff win against Italy. The Indians had earlier defeated Bangladesh (158-151) and then Turkey (157-156) to reach the last four.

“Throughout the World Cup, our co-ordination and shooting process were very good,” Vennam told World Archery after the win. “And in the final too, we focused on our shooting process.”

“World Championships are the most important event for us. And winning the gold medals is a big boost to our confidence. We look to continue the momentum.”

Also in action on Saturday were Jawkar and Kaur in the compound individual semifinals. Jawkar and Kaur had reached their individual compound semifinal events, defeating the top seeds on the way.

First up, Kaur lost in the semifinal against world No 1 Ella Gibson. But she recovered from that quickly to defeat Ipek Tomruk of Turkey (who had defeated the No 2 seed earlier in the event). The bronze medal match started with a 29 from both. Kuar shot a perfect 30 in End 2 whereas Tomruk struggled. She stayed in the lead with another great grouping of arrows, for a 29 in End 3 and the lead went up to 3. Both archers shot a solid 29 in End 4 but the Indian finished strongly with a 30 and clinched a memorable medal.

Earlier in the event, 18-year-old Kaur had pulled off the shock of the day by overcoming Korea’s Oh Yoohyun.

The day, however, belonged to Jawkar. In what the commentators described as the story of the archery season so far, the Indian defeated ‘Mr Perfect’ Schloesser, with a remarkable 149 in the final out of the possible 150. The Dutch legend shot 148, his last arrow a crucial 9 that was met by a brilliant 10 by the Indian.

“There was a lot of pressure; I haven’t played a match with so much pressure,” Jawkar said afterward. “But I just focused on myself and my shooting process. Wasn’t thinking much about my opponent. My team-mates were also cheering for me, so I was motivated.”

In men’s eliminations earlier this week, 19-year-old Jawkar, who was competing at his second World Cup, had defeated top seed Kim Jongho of Korea, 149-147.

India finished the event with two gold medals and one bronze. No recurve archer is in medal contention on Sunday.

Here’s a look at Kaur and Jawkar’s path to their respective medals: