National archery: Priyansh, Parneet top qualification rounds

Priyansh and Parneet Kaur bounced back from quieter phases of their respective careers to claim number one positions in compound men’s and women’s qualification rounds respectively in the National archery championships at the Parade Ground here on Friday.

Former World youth champion Priyansh shot brilliantly to gather 713, studded with 32 Xs, to beat 18-year-old challenger Mohit Dagar by just one point. Asian Games team gold medallist Kushal Dalal and former World champion Ojas Deotale took third and fourth spots with 710 and 707 respectively.

Parneet totalled 710 with the help of 28 Xs. Madhura Dhamangaonkar and Asian Games team gold winner Chikitha Taniparthi secured second and third places with 704 and 699 respectively. While weather remained steady on a sunny day, wind tested the archers’ skills.

Priyansh used his experience of training at his windy home base, the Yamuna Sports Complex in Delhi, to show his consistency and score 356 in the first segment followed by 357 in the second. “My archery took a backseat as I had to complete my graduation.

I started from zero and did well in National Ranking Archery Tournaments and exposure trips abroad before this,” said Priyansh. World youth team gold medallist Dagar studied the wind well to adapt and give Priyansh a run for his money.

Parneet, who rectified an issue with her gripping earlier this year, overcame the disappointment of missing out on a berth in the Asian Games to record two identical segments of 355 and claim the top rank. Later, she guided the Punjab women’s team to the final.

“I was fourth in the Asian Games trials and missed a berth narrowly. I have been shooting well and know that the result will come at the right time,” said Parneet. Important results: Compound: Individual: Qualification round: Men: 1.

Priyansh (Del) 713, 2. Mohit Dagar (Har) 712, 3. Kushal Dalal (Har) 710, 4. Ojas Deotale (Mah) 707, 5. Prathamesh Fuge (Mah) 707, 7. Rajat Chauhan (AIP) 707, 8. Abhishek Verma (Del) 707, 14. Rishabh Yadav (Har) 704, 18. Sahil Jadhav (RSPB) 702.

Women: 1. Parneet Kaur (Pun) 710, 2. Madhura Dhamangaonkar (Mah) 704, 3. Chikitha Taniparthi (Tel) 699, 4. Nishtha Gupta (UP) 699, 5. Vaidehi Jadhav (Mah) 698, 7. Priya Gurjar (Raj) 698, Muskan Kirar (MP) 697, 15. Pragati (Del) 692, 18.

Avneet Kaur (Pun) 691. Team: Elimination: Men: Semifinals: Punjab bt Rajasthan 235-232, Madhya Pradesh bt RSPB 233-233 via shoot-off (28-27); Bronze medal match: Rajasthan bt RSPB 234-233. Women: Semifinals: Uttar Pradesh bt Maharashtra 233-231, Punjab bt Delhi 233-226.