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Jyothi Surekha Vennam said that a slow start cost her an individual Asian Games medal, as teenage rival Kang Yeon-Seo shot a perfect score to eliminate her.
Berlin: Compound archery bronze medalist Jyothi Surekha Vennam at the Archery World Championships, in Berlin, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (PTI Photo)(
World Cup Final silver medallist archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam has said that her slow start in the individual compound event at the recent Asian Games cost her an expected medal, as she admitted that her teenage opponent was too perfect on the day to beat.
Jyothi admitted that her defeat was very unexpected for her as well.
Jyothi, who entered the Aichi-Nagoya Games as the defending champion after winning the women’s individual compound gold at the 2023 Hangzhou edition, was stunned by 14-year-old Kang Yeon-Seo, who shot a perfect 150 in the pre-quarterfinals.
“I tried from my side in the individual event, but the thing is, the opponent shot so well, 150/150, so I had no chance because I started a bit weak in the first round,” Jyothi said while speaking to the media.
“I tried whatever I could; I did. It was very unexpected. But I thought I still had the team event and I would give my 100% in that,” Jyothi added.
India enjoyed a stellar archery campaign at the Games, finishing atop the medal standings with nine medals: five gold, two silver and two bronze.
“Overall, the campaign was good. India repeated the same performance from last time, which was three years ago. To be able to match that same performance is a good thing,” Jyothi said.
“The recurve team did very well; individually, Kumkum (Mohod) won gold for the first time, so it was a great campaign,” Jyothi added.
At the Madrid World Cup in July, Jyothi had combined with Prithika Pradeep and Chikitha Taniparthi to win silver behind Colombia.
Meanwhile, India’s compound archers scripted history at the Asian Games by becoming the first nation to bag an Olympic quota in the discipline. But the foreign coach who guided them to the landmark achievement is yet to receive his salary, more than three months after taking charge.
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Ask News18Jyothi Surekha Vennam attributed her defeat to a slow start in the first round and the flawless performance of her 14-year-old opponent, Kang Yeon-Seo, who shot a perfect 150 score.
Ask News18October 14, 2026, 19:10 IST
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