AAI president congratulates Indian compound archers

Archery Association of India (AAI) president Vijay Malhotra on Saturday congratulated the Indian compound archery team for its splendid performance in the ongoing 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

AAI president congratulates Indian compound archers

New Delhi: Archery Association of India (AAI) president Vijay Malhotra on Saturday congratulated the Indian compound archery team for its splendid performance in the ongoing 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The Indian archers today scripted history in the Asian Games when the compound men's team shot its way to a maiden gold medal by shocking favourites South Korea before squad member Abhishek Verma picked up the individual silver even as women added two bronze medals to the tally.

The women's trio had set the tone in the morning by clinching the compound team bronze by defeating Iran in the play-off for the third position at the Gyeyang Asiad Archery Field. Later, Trisha Deb bagged a bronze in the individual event.

Later, India defied odds to shock world archery powerhouse Korea 227-225. The men's trio of Rajat Chauhan, Sandeep Kumar and Abhishek worked wonderfully well in unison to lead their formidable hosts -- the world silver medalists -- right through the 24-arrow finals to emerge triumphant by two points (227-225) in the non-Olympic Compound event which has made its debut here.

"We are proud of compound men and women teams, Abhishek Verma and Trisha Deb who made India proud and gave a reason to Indian camp and the entire country to celebrate the festival of Dusherra more pleasantly," Malhotra said in a congratulatory message.

"It was our day and all things were moving favourable fors us. Collecting one team gold, one individual silver, one individual bronze and one team bronze medals in one day in an event which was introduced for the first time is really a big achievement for Indian archery," he said.