Indian archers throw challenge to South Korea
Opening ceremony held; Elimination round from today
Sports Reporter
The Indian archers will be the main challengers to South Korea to clinch the top place in the ongoing Asian Archery Championship when three Olympian, an Asian Games bronze medalist, the defending champions of the competition and the Arjuna award winner are taking part in the 20th edition of the Asian mega event of Archery. Dipika Kumari, Otonium Das and Jainta Talukdar are the three Olympians and Asian Games bronze medalist, Asian Champions are in the 16 members team.
Trisha Deb, the bronze medalist of the Asian games and Joti Surekha the reigning champions of the Asian Championship when talking to this correspondent yesterday said that both of them and the India team are aiming to clinch the top spot in the championship. Both Trisha and Joti, did not want to mention the name any specific rivals but they think Korea will be the big hurdle to beat. Trisha and Joti, both of them participated in the World Championship, held in Mexico October 15 to 22nd and won medal in team event. Trisha said that they have been taking preparation for this competition for last 20 days and hope will win the gold.
Trisha, an archer of the West Bengal, gold medalist in the senior national championship of India in 2014 gradually came to lime-light in the international level when she participated in the World Championship, Asian Games and won two bronze medals in the Games 2014 and two World Cup bronze and this time her target to turn the bronzes into gold.
Actually I have been participating in the international level since 2014 and won four bronze medals, two each in the Asian Games and the World Cup, this time I want make it a gold.
Trisha considered Korea is the main rivals but she is eyeing to gold My target is to win gold and dominate both in the individual and team events.
Joti Surekha, the defending champions of the Asian Championship archery wants to retain her title when she said, I am here with the target to retain my position, I think every opponent is strong to me, so I dont like name any opponents.
Joti, first time participated in 2011 in the Asian Championship and won bronze, second time in 2013 no medal and third time became champions.
Besides the Olympic gold medal winners Ki Bo-Bae and her man compatriot Lee Seung Yun of Korea, champions of the previous edition Asian Games, Asian games bronze winner from India are among the noted archers in the ongoing competition.
Avishek Barman, the Arjun Awardee, Joli Surekha, the champions of the 19th Asian Archery Championship and Trisha Dev, the bronze medalist of the previous edition of India would be the main challengers of the Korean while 16 archers, including eight women and as many men from India are participating this edition.
Meanwhile, all the participant of from 33 countries including the host Bangladesh completed their official practice session yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS), main venue of the mega events of Asian Archery.The opening ceremony of the Asian Archery Championship was held at BNS with Syed Shahed Reza, secretary general of Bangladesh Olympic Association was the chief guest and a cultural function was also took place at the Sheikh Russel Roller Skating Complex to mark the opening ceremony.
The qualification phase or elimination round will be held today while the main competition will start from tomorrow.
