India’s compound archer Abhishek Verma made it to the top of the podium after winning a gold medal at the Archery World Cup 2023 stage 3 in Medellin, Colombia on Saturday.
In an intense final, Verma got the better of 2019 world champion James Lutz of the USA 148-146 to win his third individual gold medal in the Archery World Cup.
The 33-year-old entered the competition as the eighth seed but his superlative performances reduced his seeding to just a number. His juggernaut started rumbling from the quarter-final stage when he defeated world No. 1 and top-seed Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands in a shoot-off after they were inseparable at 148-148.
In the last-four, he brushed aside Luccas Abreu of Brazil 148-143 to lock horns against Nutz in the summit clash.
DETERMINATION.
— World Archery (@worldarchery) June 17, 2023
Abhishek Verma books his place to the Hyundai Archery World Cup final in Mexico. 🥇👏#ArcheryWorldCup pic.twitter.com/LEKmKeZdds
What did Abhishek Verma say after clinching gold in the World Cup?
“I’m very happy, I was remembering the good old days. It doesn’t matter who your opponent is, I just wanted to focus on my shooting and give my best. I’m excited and looking forward to the final," said Verma, who won silver at the 2014 Asian Games.
On the other hand, Lutz admitted that he was 'hurt' after he went down to the Indian.
"It hurts, but you know it's it's archery, anything can happen. I just made a bad shot,” he said.
With this win, Verma secured his ticket to the World Cup finals in Mexico in September where he will be joined by Prathamesh Jawkar.
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How have India performed in the Archery World Cup Stage 3?
India have won one gold and three bronze medals at the Archery World Cup 2023 stage 3.
The Indian men's compound team, comprised of Abhishek Verma, Ojas Pravin Deotale, Prathamesh Jawkar, claimed a well-deserved bronze medal. Similarly, the Indian women's compound team, consisting of Aditi Swami, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Parneet Kaur, showcased their talent and also clinched a bronze medal.
Whereas, the men's recurve team, composed of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Mrinal Chauhan, and Tushar Shelke, also stood third.
However, no Indian archer has made it past the quarterfinal stage in the individual recurve archery men’s and women’s categories.
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