Shanghai 2024: India sweeps compound team podiums at World Cup season opener

The Indian compound men’s, women’s and mixed teams played impeccable rounds to sweep all three gold medals on offer at the first stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai on Saturday.

They were led by Asian Games medallists Abhishek Verma Jyothi Surekha Vennam, who claimed two wins each en route to a successful morning for the nation.

A surprising women's trio of Kazakhstan upset second seed Korea in quarterfinal. Seeded seventh, Viktoriya Lyan, Aizhan Seidakhmetova and Adel Zhexenbinova then lost to Italy in shoot-off before collecting bronze against Estonia.

Reigning World Championships and Asian Games Champions, and Paris 2023 stage winners, Aditi Gopichand Swami, Parneet Kaur and Vennam started India’s onslaught, dropping just four points to thump Italy’s Irene Franchini, Elisa Roner and Marcella Tonioli, 236-225. 

“It’s our second World Cup win together as a team,” said the 19-year-old Kaur, a world junior team champion in 2021 and 2023. “Our team coordination was very strong, and we hope to continue with this.” 

“Today I was happy with my shooting,” added Aditi, who became the youngest World Archery Champion in 2023, aged 17. “We were very confident to shoot well. Though our coach wasn’t behind, we pushed each other and were focused on our shots.”

Vennam, who “felt good about playing in the final venue”, will look to build on the momentum into her individual finals.

In the second gold medal match of the day, Verma teamed up World Cup debutants Priyansh and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge to beat the Netherlands of world number one Mike Schloesser, Sil Pater and Stef Willems.

The nation continued to produce a dominating show, starting off with a perfect 60 that set the pace for the rest of the final. They finished off with another 60 to clinch victory on 238-231.

“It was a great game,” said Verma. “To play a podium match, we play a number of matches in our training which help us.”

“I’m happy to lead the team today, but everyone was doing well. The junior players produced an impressive show.”

The trio already claimed a bronze medal at the Asian Championships in November. 

“I’m very happy to get a gold medal in my first World Cup,” Fuge added. “I was nervous a bit in the start, but I have been practising very hard for this.”

Verma and Vennam returned to clinch the third gold medal of the day for India in a thrilling compound mixed team finals against Estonia’s siblings Lisell and Robin Jaatma.

Having led the match by a narrow margin, India needed a 10 in the last shot after Estonia played an impeccable last end. Vennam delivered when it mattered.

“We knew that I have to do well,” she claimed. “Abhishek Bhaiya just scored a 10 and I was focused in repeating the same and finish well.”

USA’s Olivia Dean and Kris Schaff grabbed bronze with a perfect 20 in a shoot-off to Mexico’s Andrea Becerra and Lot Máximo Méndez Ortiz.

Competition in Shanghai continues with compound individual finals in the afternoon.

Podiums: Shanghai 2024

Full results on the event page.

Compound men’s team

1. India (Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge, Priyansh, Abhishek Verma)
2. Netherlands (Sil Pater, Mike Schloesser, Stef Willems)
3. Korea (Kim Jongho, Park Seunghyun, Yang Jaewon)

Compound women’s team

1. India (Parneet Kaur, Aditi Gopichand Swami, Jyothi Surekha Vennam)
2. Italy (Irene Franchini, Elisa Roner, Marcella Tonioli)
3. Kazakhstan (Viktoriya Lyan, Aizhan Seidakhmetova, Adel Zhexenbinova)

Compound  mixed team

1. India (Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Abhishek Verma)
2. Estonia  (Lisell Jaatma, Robin Jaatma)
3. USA (Olivia Dean, Kris Schaff)

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