Ashish Maggo
Rajat Chauhan bagged India’s first-ever individual medal at the World Archery Championships in Copenhagen when the marksman lost to home favourite Stephen Hansen in the final of the men’s compound event on Saturday.
Member of India’s 2014 gold-winning compound team, Chauhan was going neck-and-neck with Hansen till the third set when he shot a poor 8 and 9 as the Danish marksman gained a crucial three-point lead.
In the end, Hansen won the match 147-143. “I was very nervous especially in the first two ends but I surely got over my nerves,” an elated Hansen said after claiming the gold.
During Chauhan’s initial struggling days, his mother had once sold off her gold ornaments in order to buy archery equipment for her son.
Today, Chauhan has paid off that debt by reaching never-before-achieved heights.
Before in 2011, the women’s recurve team of Deepika Kumari, Chekrovolu Swuro and Laishram Bombayla Devi had won India a medal at this level.
India have two more medal prospects lined up at the prestigious event on Sunday as the women’s recurve team of Deepika Kumari, Rimil Buriuly and Laxmirani Majhi aim for gold against their Russian opponents.
Laxmirani will also be competing in the individual bronze medal playoff against Misun Choi of Korea.
