Priyansh and Parneet top compound ranking round in Shillong

Delhi's Priyansh and Punjab's Parneet Kaur secured the top positions by scoring the highest in the men's and women's compound qualification rounds at the NTPC Senior National Archery Championship held at the Parade Ground in Shillong on Friday. According to a Sportstar report, both athletes achieved this success after a quiet period in their careers.

In the men's category, former World Youth Champion Priyansh took first place with a total of 713 points, including 32 Xs. He defeated 18-year-old challenger Mohit Dagar by just one point. In this competition, Asian Games team gold medallist Kushal Dalal secured third place with 710 points, and former World Champion Ojas Deotale finished fourth with 707 points.

In the women's category, Parneet Kaur achieved the top rank with a total of 710 points, aided by 28 Xs. Madhura Dhamangawankar took second place with 704 points, and Asian Games team gold winner Chikitha Taniparthi secured third with 699 points. Following this qualification round, Parneet guided the Punjab women's team towards the final.

During the competition, the weather was sunny and stable, but the wind speed tested the archers' skills. Priyansh utilised his experience of training in windy conditions at Delhi's Yamuna Sports Complex. He demonstrated his consistency by scoring 356 points in the first half and 357 points in the second half. Priyansh stated, "I had to complete my graduation, so my archery took a backseat. I started from zero and had performed well in National Ranking Archery Tournaments and foreign exposure trips prior to this."

On the other hand, World Youth team gold medallist Mohit Dagar studied the wind conditions and adapted accordingly, which allowed him to give Priyansh a tough fight.

Parneet Kaur had corrected her gripping-related issues earlier this year. Leaving behind the disappointment of not securing a place in the Asian Games, she claimed the first rank by scoring 355-355 points in both halves. Parneet stated, "I was fourth in the Asian Games trials and narrowly missed out on a spot. I am shooting well and I know the results will come at the right time."