Disappointing start by Indian women archers

Doha, Dec 9 (UNI) Indian women got off to a disappointing start as all four of them finished way down the leaderboard at the end of the first day's action in the individual qualification round (FITA) of the archery competition at the Asian Games here today.

After two rounds -- 70m and 60 m -- the Indian quartet of Reena Kumari, Dola Banerjee, Punya Prabha and Chekrovolu Swuro were placed 17th, 18th, 27th and 29th respectively.

Twenty two-year-old Reena had a total of 619, of which she shot 305 in 70m and 314 in 60m. The Indian hit the bulls eye four times while she had twenty ten-pointers.

Her more experienced teammate Dola Banerjee was four points and a slot behind. Dola totalled 615 -- 308 in 70m and 307 in 60m. She had four Golden hits and 13 ten-pointers.

Punya Prabha, at 27th slot, had a total of 591. She shot poorly in 70m in which she had 291 points but improved in 60m with 300 points. She hit the Golden eye seven times while firing 14 ten-pointers.

Another Indian, Chekrovolu Swuro struggled for her 590 score which placed her at 29th slot. She had 278 in 70m and 299 in 60m.

Swuro failed to hit the bulls eye even once while she had eight ten-pointers.

Bhutan's Dorji Dolma, Dorji Dema and Tenzin Lhamo were placed at 19th, 30th and 57th respectively.

Dolma had a score of 614 (294,320) while Dema totalled 588 (286,302) and Lhamo scored 479 (218,261).

The 60-strong field was led by world record holder Park Sung Hyun of South Korea. She had a score of 653 (325,328), hitting the golden target nine times and having 27 ten-pointers.

She was followed by compatriots Yun Min Jin 645 (320,325), Yun Ok Hee 645 (319,326) and Lee Tuk Young 645 (316,329).

Tomorrow two more rounds -- 50m and 30m -- will be held and that will decide the medal winners.

UNI HSB PDS PM KN1552