India’s Muskan Kirar defends Asia Cup gold in Bangkok

India’s Muskan Kirar won the opening leg of the Asia Cup for the second year in a row, defeating Fatin Mat Salleh of Malaysia in the compound women’s final in Bangkok.

The 18-year-old, who was recently named to India’s world championship team – along with Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Raj Kaur – shot 147 out of a possible 150 points in the 15-arrow 50-metre gold medal match.

“It’s a very good score but I can shoot better,” she said. 

“It feels good and is a positive message for me to start the year with a victory, a gold medal, and I’m looking forward to the world championships to win gold again.”

The Indian compound women’s team in Bangkok – Kirar, Priya Gurjar and Sanchita Tiwari – finished second to Malaysia. Their teammates won the compound men’s team event by defeating Iran, 233-230, in the final.

Iran’s Mohammadsaleh Palizban did win the individual compound men’s competition. He defeated Karabayev Rustam of Kazakhstan, 145-143, to the title.

Palizban, paired with Seyedeh-Vida Halimianavval, took a seceond gold medal in the mixed team event. The Iranian duo defeated Indonesia in the gold medal match, 156-154.

More than 200 archers from 23 countries are competing in Bangkok, which is one of the first world ranking events on the annual calendar.

The first stage of the 2019 Asia Cup took place on 25-30 March in Bangkok, Thailand.

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