The Indian men's compound archery team has made history, winning its first-ever gold medal at the World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. The trio of Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge held their nerve in a thrilling final to defeat France with a score of 235-233, securing a landmark victory for Indian archery.
En route to the final, they showcased their skill and determination by defeating strong teams, including Australia, the powerhouse USA, and Turkey. The final match against France was a tightly contested affair, with the scores tied at 176-176 after three sets. In the decisive final round, the Indian archers shot a near-perfect 59 against France's 57, a clutch performance that sealed the historic gold.
This victory was particularly sweet for 23-year-old Rishabh Yadav, who had a phenomenal day. Just hours before the men's team final, Yadav had teamed up with Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the mixed team event. The duo secured a silver medal for India, narrowly losing to the Netherlands in a close final with a score of 155-157. Yadav's dual-medal performance highlights his growing stature in the sport.
While the men's team celebrated their historic gold, the women's compound team faced a disappointing result. The defending champions, comprising Jyothi, Parneet Kaur, and Prithika Pradeep, were knocked out in the second round after a 229-233 loss to Italy.
Despite this setback, the overall performance of the Indian archers, particularly the men's team, signals a new era of success on the international stage. It is a moment of immense pride for the country, as it marks the first time India has won gold in the men's compound team event at the World Championships.