India completed a clean sweep of the compound archery team gold medals at the Asian Games as Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru edged China 238-237 in a dramatic men’s final at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square on Wednesday.
The victory completed India’s hat-trick of compound team gold medals at the ongoing Games.
Earlier in the day, Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep and Jyothi Surekha Vennam defeated China 238-234 to successfully defend the women’s team title. Chikitha and Sahil then combined to win the mixed team gold, with the victory also securing an Olympic quota place for India in the event at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
In the men’s final, China made a perfect start, scoring 60 from their first six arrows, while India managed 58 to trail by two points after the opening end.
Both teams then produced six successive 10s in the second end. China initially appeared to have scored a nine with one of its arrows, but an umpire’s inspection while the arrows were being retrieved upgraded the score to 10. China therefore remained perfect on 120, while India trailed 118-120 after two ends.
China dropped a point in the third end, while India maintained its perfect run to reduce the deficit to one point at 178-179.
The fourth end produced a dramatic turnaround. China opened with an eight followed by two 10s, while India’s three opening arrows were all 10s, giving the Indian trio the lead for the first time. Although China responded with three perfect 10s in its final rotation, India held on to win 238-237.
The victory moved India to seventh place in the medal standings with 10 gold, 21 silver and 27 bronze medals.
With the team events concluded, compound archers Ganesh Mani Ratnam and Chikitha Taniparthi will now turn their attention to the individual quarterfinals, scheduled for Thursday.
(IANS Inputs)
