Indian women's compound archery team scales to the top of world rankings

India's compound archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam reckons team's historic surge to the top of world rankings will provide much-needed confidence ahead of Asian Games

Creating records is not new for Jyothi Surekha Vennam. She is a regular in the three-member Indian women's compound archery team that created history by scaling to the top of the world rankings which were published yesterday. The women's team — Vennam, Muskan Kirar and Trisha Deb — had settled for a silver at the Berlin World Cup last week.

Thrilling news
Vennam, 22, a prolific archer from Vijayawada, who entered the Limca Book of Records after crossing the river Krishna thrice when she was just four, was ecstatic on hearing the news of the rankings. "I was really excited [after receiving the news]. All the hard work that we put in all these years has finally paid off. What has worked for us this year has been our coordination. Besides, the selection process, this year was very tough, and that helped. Jiwanjot Singh [national coach] sir makes it a point to ensure that we practice daily and importantly, he ensures we combine well.

Muskan Kirar and Trisha Deb

"The result is there for all to see," Vennam told mid-day over the phone from Vijayawada yesterday. Vennam, who finished fourth in her maiden compound event at the 2012 World Cup in Shanghai, pointed out that the surge in the rankings would be a huge boost for the team in the Asian Games, Jakarta [August 18-September 2]. "Our expectation is to win gold, but we will face stiff competition from Korea, Chinese Taipei and Iran," the Arjuna awardee added.

Deepika lauds team
Meanwhile, ace recurve specialist Deepika Kumari, a former World No. 1, praised the team. "This team are a confident lot. We did not expect them to top the rankings, but it just goes to show what they are capable of. "They really work hard with their strategies, so we can expect a good show at the Asian Games," said Kumari, who qualified for this year's archery World Cup final on September 29.

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