India’s compound para-archers put up a brilliant show on the second day with three of them storming into the Individual Finals of the 7th Fazza Para Archery World Ranking Tournament – Dubai 2021 here.
In fact, it will be an all-Indian affair in the Men’s Compound Open Final on Friday with compatriots Rakesh Kumar and Shyam Sundar Swami to vie for the Gold medal. Thus, the archers have ensured at least two silver and a gold medal for the country in the Individual events.
In the semi-final match, Rakesh had beaten Turkey’s Aygan Erdogan 143-138 before Swami had overcome a strong challenge from Slovakia’s former world no. 1 and last year champion Marcel Pavlik by just two points (145-143).
Pavlik will now play the Bronze medal playoff against Turkey’s Erdogan.
Rakesh, seeded eighth after qualifying and who had knocked out top qualifier Serhiy Atamanenko of Ukraine in the quarter-finals, said: “He (Shyam Sundar) will never be an opponent for me. We both will play for India and the best player will take the Gold on Friday.
“If we start looking at the score then there will be pressure on us. So, I will be focusing on my technique which my coach had taught in training.”
In the women’s competition, Baliyan prevailed over Russia’s Dzhioeva Anastasia by just one point (139-138)
The Indian will fight out another Russian, Stepanida Artakhinova, for the gold medal.
Baliyan, who had won the Mixed Team silver along with Shyam Sundar at 2019 Asian Championship, said: “I was a little nervous at the start but controlled my nerves at the shooting line and shot confidently. My performance here has definitely boosted my confidence to secure a quota for India when we travel to the Czech Republic, the last qualifying event.”
Nemati sent strong warning
Among top players, Iran’s Paralympic medallist Zahra Nemati sent warning to her Tokyo 2020-bound rivals storming into the final of the Women’s Recurve Open with a dominant performance.
Nemati, who is aiming to also qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as well, appeared focused during her round and maintained consistent scores to win the quarter-finals and semifinals on a thumping note.
She defeated India’s Pooja 6-0 (28, 29, 27 -24, 18, 23) first before seeing off Nataliya Malykh of Ukraine yet again with 6-0 (27, 28, 25- 21, 23, 17) scoreline.
Nemati will face Yagmur Sengul from Turkey in the final on Friday.
Earlier, Recurve Para archers Harvinder Singh and Vivek Chikara started the second day on a poor note exiting in the quarter-finals.
The Mixed Team events will be played on Thursday.
India’s Recurve Open Mixed Team of Harvinder and Pooja and Compound Mixed Team of Swami and Baliyan will be in action on the day, with the Finals to be played later in the day.