Archery: Gold eludes India yet again at world c'ships, three silvers claimed
Yankton (USA) (PTI): Indian archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam lost a nerve-wracking final to Colombian world number three Sara Lopez to settle for a silver in the compound women's individual section at the World Championships here.
In the individual men's compound event, three-time World Cup gold medallist Abhishek Verma made a quarterfinal exit, going down to world number one Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands by just one point (147-148) in a tight contest here on Saturday.
Overall, India's compound archers concluded their campaign with three silver medals. Ankita Bhakat is the lone archer in fray in the recurve competition and she will compete in her last-eight match later on Sunday.
Jyothi was a member of the Indian women's and mixed pair compound archery teams who signed off with silver medals after lop-sided losses to Colombia on Friday.
India were in pursuit of their first gold medal at the world event. For a country that doesn't have a gold yet, India have climbed the most podiums at the event (11), appearing in nine finals and leaving with silver each time.
Jyothi, who won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships in Den Bosch, Netherlands, was at her best and shot a perfect final end but the five-time World Cup champion Sara proved superior and clinched it by two points (146-144) in the individual event.
The Indian was sensational, starting the day with her first-ever 150 perfect 10s in each of her 15 arrows across five ends en route to defeating the reigning under-21 world champion Amanda Mlinaric of Croatia by six points in quarters.
"First of all, thank you so much. It's been a great day today because I've shot my first 150 in an international tournament and I'm super happy," Jyothi said.
She went on to defeat Andrea Becerra of Mexico 148-146 in the semifinals but the Colombian proved too tough for her.
For Jyothi, this was her second silver medal at the World Championships as she became the only Indian archer to have four podium finishes at the biennial showpiece.
Jyothi had bagged a silver (Mexico 2017) and a bronze (Den Bosch 2019) in the team events in previous World Championships.
"I'm happy because last time I won the bronze and this time I won the silver," the 25-year-old said.
"I just thought I should repeat my process and keep faith me, so I did just that."
Jyothi dished out a consistent performance shooting 28, 29 and 29 in her first three ends, but the Colombian opened up a two-point lead at the halfway mark, drilling in seven perfect 10s with two X (closest to the centre) from nine arrows.
The Indian shot three 10s from three arrows in the final end but that was not enough as Sara wrapped up the issue by two points.
Jyothi, however, upgraded her bronze medal effort she had won two years ago, as the Andhra archer concluded her campaign with three silver medals.
Asked if she regretted missing out on the gold, she said: "Not 100 per cent but it's okay, one has to win and one has to lose."
Her next target is the Asian Championships slated in Dhaka from November 13-19.
"Next, we have the Asian Championships lined up in November so currently that is my next goal," she signed off.
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Gold declines Rs 1,700 to Rs 1.35 lakh/10g; snaps 4-day record rally
New Delhi (PTI): Snapping the four-day record rally, gold prices declined by Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,35,900 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday as investors booked profits amid weak global cues, according to the All India Sarafa Association.
The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had surged by Rs 4,000 to touch an all-time high of Rs 1,37,600 per 10 grams on Monday. The metal rose by Rs 6,000 over the previous four days, trading at record highs.
"Gold prices witnessed profit booking and remained volatile, with the yellow metal slipping towards the USD 4,275 level in global markets and staying under pressure," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Echoing sentiments, Dilip Parmar, Research Analyst, HDFC Securities, said, "Domestic gold prices also softened, curtailing a four-day advance. These losses were, however, notably mitigated by the persistent weakness in the Indian Rupee which quoted at a record low level".
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In the local bullion markets, silver prices also depreciated by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,98,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes). The white metal had ended flat at Rs 1,99,500 per kg, also its all-time high level, as per the association.
Parmar added that physical jewellery demand is expected to be subdued commensurate with the onset of the inauspicious period, investment demand is forecast to remain robust, a tendency driven by prevailing risk-averse market sentiments.
In the international markets, spot gold snapped a five-day winning streak, declining by USD 27.80, or 0.65 per cent, to USD 4,277.42 per ounce.
"Gold prices experienced a modest decline, easing following five consecutive sessions of appreciation, as market participants strategically positioned themselves ahead of a critical suite of US economic data releases this week," Dilip Parmar said.
These incoming reports are poised to offer significant clarity regarding the Federal Reserve's predilection for implementing further interest-rate cuts, a key macroeconomic catalyst for the non-yielding asset, he added.
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Spot silver also dropped by USD 1.07, or 1.67 per cent, to USD 63.02 per ounce in the overseas markets.
Bullion prices are trading lower as caution prevails ahead of US nonfarm payroll (NFP) data to be released later in the day, which will show NFP figures of both October and November, Praveen Singh, Research Analyst, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.
