Copenhagen, July 25 (IANS) The focus will be on India’s 2014 Asian Games medallists compound archers and former individual recurve World No.1 Deepika Kumari when the World Archery Championships start here on Sunday.
Indian men’s team of Rajat Chauhan, Abhishek Verma and Sandeep Kumar scripted a stunning victory in Incheon as it upset world champion South Korea. This time Sandeep has been replaced with Kawalpreet Singh and the trio will have to be on guard against the talented South Koreans.
The women’s compound team of Purvasha Shende, V. Jyothi Surekha, P. Lily Chanu will also look to give the performance that gave them the Asian Games bronze medal. This time, Lily has replaced Trisha Deb, who also won an individual bronze medal in Incheon Games.
Compound archery is a non-Olympic medal event.
Three-time World Cup silver medallist and current World No.8 Deepika will feel the pressure of expectations as she will lead the country’s challenge in the women’s recurve events.
Other women representing the squad will be 2010 Asiad bronze medallists Laxmi Rani Majhi and Rimil Buriuly. The men’s team will comprise of Olympians Rahul Banerjee, Mangal Singh Champia and Jayanta Talukdar.
This tournament will provide archers to get the first ticket to Rio Olympics 2016. More than 500 archers from 100 countries are expected to take part in the tournament.
The event will conclude on August 2.
Indian squad for World Championships:
Recurve:
Men’s: Rahul Banerjee, Mangal Singh Champia, Jayanta Talukdar.
Women’s: Deepika Kumari, Laxmi Rani Majhi, Rimil Buriuly.
Compound:
Men’s: Abhishek Verma, Rajat Chauhan, Kawalpreet Singh.
Women’s: Purvasha Shende, V Jyothi Surekha, P Lily Chanu.
