India win both archery Gold; Dola, Jayanta win all-Indian finals

Colombo, Aug 25 (UNI) Seasoned campaigner Dola Banerjee quelled compatriot Reena Kumari's challenge, while in-form Jayanta Talukdar upstaged Tarundeep Rai in the finals as India bagged both the men and women individual recurve Gold at the Colombo Gymkhana Club here today.

Dola, who won the first European Gold medal at the European Grand Prix at Antalaya, Turkey last year, was bang on target and her experience stood her in good stead as she edged out teammate and fellow Olympian Reena Kumari 108-99 in the final.

Dola was in fact struggling a bit in the semifinals where she needed to dig deep into her vast experience to get the better of Dolma Dorji of Bhutan, eventual Bronze medallist, 106-103 in the semifinals. Dola, however, raised her game in the nick of time and walked away with the Gold, while Reena had to settle for the Silver.

Jayanta, on his part, has been in good nick and the archer pipped Olympian Tarundeep to the post with just one-point margin separating the two. Tarundeep, after the 110-111 defeat, had to be content with the Silver medal.

In the semifinals, Jayanta had beaten Tashi Peijor of Bhutan 115-104, while Tarundeep triumphed over Md Nure Alam of Bangladesh 110-95.

UNI AY PM HT1703