Talukdar, Champia lose, Indian challenge end in open event

Doha, Dec 12 (UNI) India's hopes of a medal were dashed when World Championship gold medallist Jayanta Talukdar and compatriot Mangal Singh Champia lost their way in the quarterfinals and crashed out of the Asian Games Archery's open events here today.

Much was expected from 20-year old Talukdar, who had been in good form this year winning the Gold medals at Porec World competition and Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok, but he failed to reproduce the same form at the Lusail Archery ranges here when it was needed most.

Talukdar made a heavy weather of his pre-quarterfinal round win against lowly Mongolian Baatarjav Dambadondog as the Indian scraped through 98-93.

Talukdar had an uneven first round in which scored 52 out of 60 with last two visits producing dismal seven points each.

He had a series of 10, 10, 9, 9, 7.7 in his first round for 52 and his second round was even poorer as he shot 46 (10, 9, 8, 7, 7, 5). The Mongolian shot 47 (9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 5) and then 46 (9, 9, 8, 8, 7, 5) in his two rounds.

In the quarterfinal, the Indian met his match in Wang Gang of China and fell by the way side 102-108 Though Talukdar displayed better form and scored more points but that was not enough to prevent Wang Gang from winning.

The archer from Asom shot 52 and 50 in his two rounds. In the first his score read 9, 9, 9, 9, 8, 8 and his second series started with a golden hit and then had a score of 9, 9, 8, 8, 6.

The last three shots proved costly for the Indian as he lost by only six points.

The Chinese had a first round of 58 (10, 10, 10, 10, 9, 9) and then produced 50 in the second round (10, 9, 9, 8, 7, 7).

The other Indian Mangal Singh Champia had an easy pre-quarterfinal round against Sri Lankan Manuja Kodikara and won the contest 89-79.

The 23-year old Indian had two rounds of 46 and 43. His first round series was 9, 9, 8, 8, 6, 6 and his second was 9, 9, 8, 7, 7, 3. Manuja shot 49 and 30.

In the quarterfinal, Champia was shown the door by Jaopan's Tomokazu Wakino. The Indian lost 98-102.

Champia shot 45 (9, 8, 8, 8, 7, 5) and 53 ( 10, 9, 9, 9, 9, 7) in his two rounds while Wakino had rounds of 50 (10, 9, 9, 8, 8, 6) and 52 (10, 9, 9, 8, 8, 8).

After the event, Talukdar said that wind created problem for him.

''Wind always affect archers. Some times it is an advantage and some times it is a disadvantage. It is more (disadvantage) if it is coming towards you and not steady and that happened to me.'' Champia on the other hand was candid enough to admit that he did not perform well. ''Today my performance was not so good. I am not happy with it,''he said and added, '' It was really windy. It very difficult to have control.'' Like other Indian sports persons who did not perform well but still aspire for Olympics, Champia said. ''I am looking forward to the World Championship and Olympics.'' UNI HSB DH ht1440