Indian women archers fail to cross final hurdle

Indian women recurve team on Sunday missed the opportunity to win its first-ever gold medal and had to settle for a bronze at the World Cup Archery Stage III at Ogden (USA).

The Indian side, comprising Dola Banerjee, L Bombayla Devi and Deepika Mahato, bowed 209-204 to World Champion Korea to settle for the runners-up position in the final.

But the silver medal finish is still the best by the women's recurve side until now as India had won the bronze medal at Dover (UK) in 2007.

The teams were tied on points after the first end of six arrows and the second end too was tied at 106-106 after another set of six arrows.

But Korea went into the third end of six arrows with a lot more confidence to garner 50 points, while the Indians slipped badly and could manage 47 to stay three points behind the Koreans (156-153).

With this advantage, Korea picked up 53 points in the final set of six arrows as against India's 51 to win the gold medal.

Meanwhile, hosts US annexed the men's team recurve gold beating China 222-215.