Archer Abhishek Verma picks first medal for India in World Cup Stage III | More sports News – Times of India

KOLKATA: Abhishek Verma fetched India’s first medal in the World Cup Stage III in Paris by winning the gold in men’s compound individual event on Saturday. It was hard to believe that Verma was taking part in an international competition after almost two years, as he was almost perfect throughout his semifinal and final clashes on the day.
This was Verma’s second individual World Cup gold medal. The 32-year-old last won an individual medal in 2015 at World Cup Stage 3 in Wroclaw.
The Delhi boy got past Russia’s Antony Bulaev 146-138 in the semis to enter his first World Cup final since Salt Lake City 2018 where he picked a silver.

Verma was able to handle pressure well against his higher-ranked rival Kris Schaff of the USA to prevail in a tense shoot-off in the summit clash. After both archers ended with 148 points, the World No. 5 Schaff hit a nine. Verma responded with a perfect 10 to seal the tie.
Verma hitting his first nine after 11 10s in the final showed how consistent he was. Even in the last set, he managed to hit a 10 to force the match in the tie-break. “It was exciting,” Verma said after the win. “I waited for two years to get a competition and finishing with a gold is good for me and my country,” he added.

In spite of coming under pressure, Verma said such a situation “gives me positive power”. “My heart beat went up so I just calmed myself down,” he stated. India are in line for three more medals on Sunday in the women’s recurve team and individual events along with the mixed team competition. Deepika Kumari stands a chance to bag a hat-trick of gold medals.