The Asian Games 2023 witnessed an exceptional achievement for India as archery duo Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Pravin Ojas Deotale secured a gold medal in the Compound Archery Mixed Team event on October 4. India’s performance in various sports has earned the nation a total of 71 medals at the Asian Games 2023.
Jyothi-Pravin clinched the gold medal in a tightly contested battle against a South Korean pair, emerging victorious with a score of 159-158. This remarkable feat marks India’s first gold medal in archery at the ongoing Asian Games.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) celebrated the achievement, tweeting, “#KheloIndiaAthletes Ojas and @VJSurekha have hit the bullseye and clinched India’s FIRST GOLD in archery, defeating Korea by a scoreline of 159 – 158! Their impeccable skill and teamwork have earned them the ultimate victory. Proud of you, champs.”
Prior to the final, the Indian pair advanced by defeating Kazakhstan’s Adel Zhexenbinova and Andrey Tyutyun with a score of 159-155. They had reached the semifinals by defeating the Malaysian team 158-155. The Recurve Mixed Team was also set to compete for a medal.
On the same day, Indian race walkers Manju Rani and Ram Baboo secured a bronze medal in the 35km race walk mixed team event.
In the boxing arena, Indian boxer Preeti Pawar concluded her campaign at the Asian Games with a bronze medal. In the 54 kg semifinal match, she faced China’s reigning flyweight champion, Chang Yuan, and despite her commendable efforts, Preeti was defeated with a score of 0-5. Notably, Preeti had already secured an Olympic quota, adding to her achievements in the sport.
Furthermore, India’s Sutirtha Mukherjee and Auhika Mukherjee’s impressive run resulted in a historic bronze medal at the Asian Games after a closely-fought women’s doubles semifinal, which they lost 3-4 to North Korea. India’s medal tally has now reached 62 medals, comprising 13 gold, 24 silver, and 24 bronze. The athletics events, which began on September 29, are scheduled to conclude on October 8.
On October 1, India secured seven gold medals in shooting and one each in cricket, tennis, and equestrian events. Avinash Sable made history by becoming the first Indian man to win a gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase event, breaking the previous Asian Games record with a remarkable time of 8:19.50 seconds.
