Jyothi Surekha Vennam is 30, a veteran of compound archery in India who has been there and done that for years. Chikitha Taniparthi is 21 and Prithika Pradeep just 18, both fairly new to the elite world of archery and certainly to the multi-sport stage of an Asian Games .
The Indian women’s compound team defeated China 238-234 in the final on Wednesday. It was one of the most clinical shows by an Indian archery group in a big final, with their sensational shooting also equalling the world record score set by Korea in 2014. This, after just about getting past the dangerous Koreans 234-233 in the semi-final about an hour earlier as defending champions in the event.
“They have their own set of experiences. Chikitha shot a 9 again, but her teammates were simply not dropping guard. The 10s that followed in the third end meant despite China’s perfect 60, India were doing enough to stay ahead even with the 59. And, as if to stamp their statement, India signed off the final with a perfect 60 of their own.
“They have proven themselves in a few tournaments,” she told HT before leaving for Japan.
This was a young Indian team, one which had not too much experience of competing together after Chikitha and Prithika made the national team from the trials in May thisyear.
