Ace striker Abhishek Verma wins the gold medal in the men’s compound individual event in the third stage of the World Cup
Posted Date – 11:30 PM, Sun – 6/18/23
Photo: IANS
Medellin: Ace striker Abhishek Verma won the gold medal in the men’s compound individual event in the third stage of the World Cup here.
Abhishek, 33, made his first World Cup appearance this year when he defeated 2019 world champion James Lutz of the United States 148-146 in Saturday’s final.
Eighth-seeded Abhishek defeated world No. 1 Dutch top-seeded Mike Schlosser on penalties after a 148-148 quarter-final draw.
The Indian came into range in the semifinals and set up his third individual World Cup final with a 148-143 sure victory over Brazil’s Lucas Abreu.
When American Lutz hit a perfect 150 to beat compatriot Nick Kappers, he may have feared the worst. But he kept his cool to go for gold and ensure he joins Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar in the final in Mexico in September, after Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar took the podium in Shanghai.
“I’m happy, I’m reminded of the good old days. It doesn’t matter who your opponent is, I just want to focus on my shots and do my best. I’m excited and looking forward to the final,” Abhishek told World Archery.
This is Abhishek’s third individual World Cup gold medal. He previously won gold in Wroclaw, Poland in 2015 and Paris, France in 2021. In addition, he won silver and bronze medals in individual events.
So far, India has won one gold and three bronze medals in Phase 3 of the 2023 Archery World Cup.
Earlier in the competition, the men’s composite team of Abhishek Verma, Ojas Pravin Deotale, Prathamesh Jawkar and the Indian women’s composite team of Aditi Swami, Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Parneet Kaur won bronze on Wednesday.
The men’s recurve team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Mrinal Chauhan and Tushar Shelke won a bronze medal on Thursday.
