In a stunning showcase of skill and determination at the 19th Asian Games 2023, Ojas Deotale, the talented Indian archer hailing from Nagpur, clinched the gold medal in the men’s individual compound archery competition. This achievement not only solidified Deotale’s status as one of India’s premier athletes in the tournament but also marked his third gold medal win in the Asian Games 2023.
Ojas Deotale’s outstanding performance can be attributed to his exceptional precision on the archery field. During the final, he deviated from the 10-point circle only once, amassing a remarkable score of 140 out of a possible 150. Each archer participated in five rounds (known as “Ends” in archery), with three arrows in each round.
Despite his exceptional performance, Deotale, a 21-year-old sensation from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and the reigning World Champion from Berlin earlier in the year, encountered a minor setback with a score of nine on the second arrow of the fourth round. In contrast, his opponent, Verma, faced a nine on the third arrow in the second round and an eight on the second arrow of the third round, placing him three points behind Deotale.
While Verma managed to narrow the gap by winning the fourth round with a score of 30-29, it proved insufficient to surpass Deotale. In the fifth and final round, Deotale delivered a perfect score of 30, securing his victory and affirming his position as the most successful Indian athlete at the Asian Games 2023.