Indian compound team cruise to Shanghai gold

India’s Abhishek Verma, Raju Chinna Srither and Singh Amanjeet defeated Colombia’s Camilo Cardona, Daniel Munoz and Jose Carlos Ospina 226-221 to take the nation’s first gold medal of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit at the opening stage in Shanghai, China.

“This is the first time we shoot together as a team,” said Verma. “Before coming here we planned every detail to make it work. We all shot well throughout week and what we really want is to create a good impression of us in front of other teams.”

The squad opened with a pair of 58s; Colombia with 57, 56.

With India leading by three, the wind picked up and both squads posted ends of 52 out of a possible 60 with their six arrows. India shot another 58 in the fourth end to sealed the match, 226-221.

“There are so many strong compound men’s team around the world and, considering the worlds in Mexico later this year, we need to keep shooting as we did here to get a good result there,” said Verma.

Seeded fourth, India beat Vietnam, World Champion Iran and top-ranked USA to make the finals against Colombia.

“Right now, our team is made up of three men with different experience but our training is showing we’re doing well. We are all the same; we all talk, make decisions together no matter how long we’ve been shooting for or what we’ve achieved,” Verma added.

USA, represented by Reo Wilde, Steve Anderson and Braden Gellenthien, took bronze over France.

The first stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 16 to 21 May in Shanghai, China.