India successfully defended the women’s compound team gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating China 238-234 at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square on Wednesday.
The Indian team of Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep and Jyothi Surekha Vennam also equalled the world-record score of 238, set by South Korea at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.
India had won silver in the event in 2018 and bronze in 2014. The victory marked India’s seventh gold medal at the ongoing Games and took its overall tally to 53 medals — seven gold, 21 silver and 25 bronze.
India entered the final after edging past South Korea in the semifinal and produced a composed performance against China to retain the title.
India opened the final with a 30-28 lead and extended the advantage to three points in the second end despite Chikitha shooting a nine in the first rotation. Prithika and Jyothi maintained their accuracy, finding 10s throughout.
At the start of the second end, both teams registered a nine and two 10s in the opening rotation. China then managed two 10s and a nine, while India responded with three 10s to stretch its lead to 119-116.
China opened the third end with three 10s, while India began with a nine from Chikitha before Prithika and Jyothi struck 10s to maintain the advantage. China followed with a nine and two 10s, but India’s three successive 10s extended the lead to 178-175.
China began the final end with two 9s and a 10, while India responded with three 10s. China then hit three 10s in its final rotation to keep the pressure on, but the Indian trio held their nerve and completed a perfect final rotation with three 10s to seal the 238-234 victory.
India enjoyed its most successful Asian Games archery campaign in Hangzhou in 2023, winning a record nine medals — five gold, two silver and two bronze. The compound archers won all five gold medals on offer, while the recurve teams contributed one silver and one bronze.
(IANS Inputs)
