Surekha, Rishabh set new world record with a combined score of 1431 at Archery Stage IV WC in Madrid
Their combined score, 1431, was better than the previous world record of 1429, set by Danish pair Tanja Gellenthien and Mathias Fullerton in 2023
Hyderabad: Jyothi Surekha Vennam just refuses to fade away in the world of archery. For someone who has been repeatedly snubbed by the panel which decides on picking the prestigious Maj Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Surekha keeps dominating the world stage with aplomb.
The 29-year-old Surekha from Vijayawada, combined with Rishabh Yadav, set a new world record in the compound mixed team in the Archery World Cup Stage IV in Madrid.
In the qualifying round, Rishabh and Jyothi, who clinched the mixed team gold medal in Stage 1, secured 716 and 715 points to finish atop men’s and women’s individual rankings, respectively.
Their combined score, 1431, was better than the previous world record of 1429, set by Danish pair Tanja Gellenthien and Mathias Fullerton in 2023.
Rishabh, who scored full points in his first 30 arrows, produced 68 shots of 10s and Xs. He was two short of Braden Gellenthien’s world record.
“I am immensely pleased with my performance. Somehow, since the start of this season, I have not been shooting as well as I would have loved to. Somewhere, something was missing,” Surekha informed ‘Telangana Today’ from Madrid.
“I don’t know the specific reasons, but somehow I was not happy with the way I have been shooting the targets this season. So, I was determined to regain my wonted form,” said Surekha, who won nine World Cup gold besides five silver and seven bronze.
“Yes, with that intention, I had really trained hard in the practice session and was feeling in my zone. So, I just wanted to continue sane form in the championship,” the champion archer said.
“Honestly, I was not expecting this to happen, but I am really glad that I am back to where I feel I belong, especially ahead of the World Championship next month. And, since this Madrid happens to be the last one before the Worlds, this world record and the gold are really important,” said the three-time Asian Games gold medallist
“Yes, I hope to do well in the other events, including individual competitions,” said Surekha, who also won one gold, four silver and three bronze in the World championships.
Jyothi did not drop a point in 67 arrows, including her last 24.
In elimination, the Indian women’s team of Jyothi, Parneet Kaur and Prithika Pradeep performed solidly to set up a title clash with Chinese Taipei.
