Date:14/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/14/stories/2006121407082100.htm

Sport - Archery

Archers bag a bronze medal

Special Correspondent

DOHA: The Indian archers redeemed themselves with a bronze medal in the men's team event in the 15th Asian Games a the Lusail Range here on Wednesday.

On a cold and windy day when the women archers had lost by two points to China in the quarterfinals earlier in the morning, the men broke the jinx of decades, by clinching the first archery medal for the country in the Asian Games.

In the match for the third place, India overcame Malaysia 211-207. It was a nerve wracking experience for the ardent archery fans, as much as to the team members Jayanta Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai, Mangal Singh and Viswesh, as Malaysia led by one point after the first set of six arrows, and by two points after the second and third set of arrows. In a gripping climax, the Indian archers fired 56 points out of a possible 60, with three 10s, and Malaysia could respond only with a 50 and a solitary 10. It was time for celebration.

"I feel very happy, because it our first medal in this sport. I am sad because we lost the semifinals. I hope that we improve to the gold medal in the next Asain Games,'' said Tarundeep Rai.

Like in rowing, when India broke through for its first silver medals after having won 10 bronze over the years including one this time, it was a breakthrough for the Indian archers who have been making waves in the international arena in recent times.

Jayanta Talukdar had won a World Cup this season, but had lost in the second round of the individual contest here. Dola Banerjee shot a string of high quality scores but finished fourth, as she narrowly failed to qualify for the final.

In a high-scoring semifinals, Chinese Taipei pipped India by 10 points thanks to five 10s and a bull's eye. India had four 10s and a bull's eye, but had conceded a 9-point lead after the first set of six arrows. It was too big a margin to bridge.

In the quarterfinals, the third-seeded India which had enjoyed a bye in the first round, quelled the challenge from Japan 219-206.

In the women's event, India started well with a thumping 197-166 win over Malysia, but lost to China 199-201. Dola Banerjee and company led by one point after the third set of arrows against China, but lost out with a below par fare in the last set of arrows, with two 6s spoiling the chances.

"I am disappointed. We were very close, but the last arrow was a problem'', said coach Dharmendra Tiwari, who also bemoaned the loss of a medal for Dola earlier in the individual event.