Date:11/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/11/stories/2006081109311800.htm

Sport - Archery

Talukdar betters National mark

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA : India's top archer, Jayanta Talukdar of Jharkhand AA, stole the limelight on the opening day of the National ranking prize money tournament at the SAI, Eastern Centre, here on Thursday by bettering the National record in the men's 70m-distance competition.

Talukdar amassed 345 points in the 70m distance, a part of the FITA round where men archers shoot over four distances, 90m, 70, 50 and 30m. On the first day only two distance rounds were completed.

The previous record of 332 was held by Priyank of Uttar Pradesh, established in the 24th National championship at Jamshedpur.

Dola Banerjee continued to dominate the women's section by leading the field with a total of 1,308 points from four distances: 70m, 60, 50 and 30m.

Reena Kumari followed in second place behind her Railway colleague with 1,296 while two points adrift was Chekrovolu Swuro of Nagaland. National champion L. Bombayala Devi of Manipur was fourth with 1,295 points.

The men's compound event saw the competitors going through only two rounds over 90 and 70m distances.

Jayantilal Ninamo of Rajasthan was the best while AP's C.H. Lenin was second.

The ladies' compound event ended with the experienced Jhano Hansdah heading the field with a total of 1,376 points while Sakro Besra, her Jharkhand team-mate, was second with 1,368. Bhegyabati Chanu was third with 1329.