Indian archer Neeraj Chauhan defeated compatriot Dhiraj Bommadevara 6-4 in an all-Indian bronze-medal playoff to clinch third place in the men’s individual recurve event at the Asian Games here on Saturday.
The five-set contest at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square saw both archers fight back after losing their respective semifinals. Neeraj went down 1-7 to Japan’s Junya Nakanishi, while Dhiraj lost to South Korea’s Lee Woo-Seok in the last four.
Neeraj made a strong start in the bronze-medal match, winning the opening set 29-26. Dhiraj responded by taking the second set 28-27 and then the third 29-28 to move 4-2 ahead.
With Dhiraj needing just one more set to secure the bronze, Neeraj produced a perfect fourth set, hitting three 10s to level the contest at 4-4.
Dhiraj opened the deciding set with an 8, while Neeraj responded with a 10. Dhiraj then struck two 10s to finish with 28 points, leaving Neeraj needing 19 from his final two arrows to win the medal.
The Indian delivered under pressure, hitting a 9 and a 10 with his last two arrows to seal the bronze.
Both archers had earlier won medals in the mixed and team events.
Dhiraj and Kumkum Mohod won a silver medal in the mixed event after losing to China in the gold-medal contest. Dhiraj also claimed a team silver with Neeraj and Yashdeep Bhoge after India lost to South Korea in the final.
India’s women’s archery contingent has also enjoyed a strong campaign at the Games. Kumkum created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve gold medal at the Asian Games after defeating South Korea’s Oh Yejin.
Kumkum also won team gold alongside Kirti Sharma and Ankita Bhakat, with the Indian trio defeating 10-time champions South Korea in the final.
(IANS Inputs)
