Successful archery’s return at the Commonwealth Games

Successful archery’s return at the Commonwealth Games Delhi – 11 October 2010   With the archery competition now finished, England and India have confirmed their dominance of the sport at Commonwealth level in the compound and recurve categories respectively.   England cleaned up in the compound category, winning both team events and taking gold in both the men's and women's individual events. India realised its potential in the recurve category, taking both individual gold and the women's team event and the men's team bronze.   Archery attracted considerable attention at these Games, returning to the schedule after a 28-year absence and including compound archers for the first time. A passionate crowd, extensive media coverage and true high level competition (14 previous Olympic or world medallists, one Paralympics champion, numerous current top 10 athletes) has made archery one of the successes in Delhi’s Games. It still hopes to be featured in the Glasgow 2014 Games.    Recurve The Indian women's team of Deepika KUMARI photo, Dola BANERJEE and Bombayala LAISHRAM DEVI (IND) overcame a slow start to edge out England 207-206 for gold, Canada taking bronze. The Indian Men's team was stunned by a brilliant Australian team in the semifinals. Mathew MASONWELLS, Taylor WORTH and veteran Matthew GRAY (AUS) went on to outwit Malaysia 219-212 to claim Australia's only team archery gold of the Games. India took the bronze medal ahead of a valiant England side.   India dominated the individual events, 16-year-old prodigy Deepika KUMARI (IND) winning gold against five times Olympian Alison WILLIAMSON (ENG) while her famous compatriot Dola BANERJEE (IND) took the bronze. His brother, Rahul BANERJEE (IND), made hard work of his final against Canada's Jason LYON (CAN), trailing 1-5 before winning 6-5 in a sudden-death shoot-off (his third shoot-off of the day!). Australia's Matthew GRAY came up agonisingly short of the bronze, losing to Jayanta TALUKDAR (IND).   Compound Nicky HUNT (ENG) confirmed her status as the top compound archer in the world, defeating Doris JONES (CAN) to win the gold medal. The bronze medal match featured two Australians as Cassie MCCALL (AUS) edged out compatriot Fiona HYDE (AUS) 7-3.   The men's final was an all-English affair, Duncan BUSBY photo showing his composure to defeat Chris WHITE for gold. Seppie CILLIERS (RSA) took home the bronze medal after beating Shaun TEASDALE (NZL). HUNT and BUSBY had previously led their respective nations to victory in the team event. HUNT, Paralympian gold medallist Danielle BROWN and Nichola SIMPSON (ENG) defeated Canada in the final with India taking bronze. The Englishmen BUSBY, WHITE and Liam GRIMWOOD swept aside Australia in the semifinal before defeating India, while South Africa beat Australia for the bronze.   Didier MIEVILLE / Commonwealth Games GNS World Archery Communication