AHMEDABAD, SEP 8 (PTI): India delivered a remarkable performance on the penultimate day of the World Archery Para Series Stage III, clinching a total of five medals — two gold, two silver and one bronze — across different categories. The men’s compound and recurve teams emerged victorious with gold medals, while para-archer Swati Chaudhary stood out with two podium finishes, including a silver and a bronze.
In the men’s compound team event, reigning world champion Toman Kumar and Shyam Sundar Swami showcased their dominance with a commanding 152-139 victory over Iraq. Although the duo began with a slow start, scoring an 8 in the opening end, they quickly regained momentum. Over the next 12 arrows, they dropped just five points, establishing a strong lead that Iraq could not overcome. Their consistent scoring and precise arrow execution ensured India’s gold medal in the event.
The men’s recurve team final saw Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi rally past Slovakia 6-2 to secure another gold for India. The Indian pair initially struggled, losing the opening set 34-37 with no 10s recorded. However, Harvinder, a double Paralympic medallist, led the recovery as the team settled into rhythm. The turning point came in the third set when India struck three 10s to take a 4-2 lead. They held their composure in the fourth set, winning 35-31 to complete the comeback and secure the title.
On the women’s side, Bhawna and Pooja claimed silver in the recurve team event after losing 0-6 to China in a one-sided final. The Indian duo struggled to find their scoring rhythm from the outset, recording low scores of 4, 5 and 6 in the first set. Although they improved slightly in the second set with three 8s and a 9, they failed to close the gap. India’s inability to register a single 10 throughout the match allowed China to comfortably seal the gold medal.
Swati Chaudhary added two medals to India’s tally, underlining her resilience and skill in the W1 category. Partnering Adil Mohamed Nazir Ansari, she won silver in the Mixed Team W1 (Rec/Comp) event after losing 1-5 to Czech Republic’s Sarka Pultar Musilova and David Drahoninsky. The Czech team dominated the opening ends to establish a 4-0 lead, and although India fought back to draw the third end, they could not force a decider. Later in the afternoon, Swati returned to claim bronze in the individual W1 contest, defeating Russia’s Elena Krutova 6-2. She won the opening end 28-25, tied the next two ends, and sealed the victory with a decisive 26-24 finish. The result gave her a silver and bronze on the same day, making her one of India’s standout performers.
India narrowly missed out on another medal in the women’s compound team event, where Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag lost the bronze playoff to China’s Wang Huiting and Gao Fangxia. The Indian pair struggled to maintain scoring consistency across their 16 arrows. Their best passage came in the second end, when they trailed by just one point at 73-74. However, a poor third end allowed China to pull ahead and secure the bronze medal.
Overall, India’s campaign on the day highlighted both team strength and individual brilliance. The gold medals in the men’s compound and recurve events demonstrated India’s growing dominance in para-archery, while Swati Chaudhary’s dual medal success underscored the depth of talent among Indian athletes. Despite setbacks in the women’s team events, the Indian contingent showed resilience and determination against strong international competition.
The performance in Ahmedabad reflects India’s rising stature in para-archery, with athletes combining skill, composure and fighting spirit to secure podium finishes. With two gold, two silver and one bronze, India’s tally on the penultimate day sets a strong foundation for future success and reinforces the country’s commitment to excelling in para-sports at the global stage.
