Jyothi, Aditi set up semifinal clash; India assure two medals in archery
Hangzhou (PTI): Reigning world champion Aditi Swami and top seed Jyothi Surekha Vennam eased past their respective quarterfinal rivals to set up a semifinal clash against each other in the women's compound individual event and assure India of at least a silver medal in archery at the Asian Games, here on Tuesday.
In the men's compound individual section, India also assured themselves at least a bronze medal after Abhishek Verma and Ojas Deotale entered the last-four stages.
Former 2014 silver medalist Verma overcame a late challenge from Tyutyun and win in an intense shoot-off to make the semifinal.
Leading 60-57 after two ends, Verma slipped as his Kazakh rival Andrey Tyutyun bounced back to level 147-147 and force a shoot-off.
Both the archers shot a 10, but the Indian was adjudged the winner -- 147-147 (10*-10) -- with his arrow closer to the centre.
Current world champion Deotale, on the other hand, shot an incredible 150 out of 150 to breeze past Akbarali Karbayev of Kazakhstan.
The duo find themselves in the opposite end and head for a possible final clash, should they get past their respective semifinal hurdles.
Fourth seed Verma will take on South Korean top seed Joe Jaehoon later in the day.
Third-seeded Deotale will face seventh seeded Yang Jaewon of South Korea.
Aditi, who is seeded fourth, dropped just one point from 15 arrows to eliminate Amaya Amparo Cojuangco of Phillipines 149-146 in the quarterfinals.
Multiple World Cup medallist Jyothi ousted ninth seed Adel Zhexenbinova of Kazakhstan 147-144 in another last-eight round match.
Overall, the Indian archers are in medal hunt in eight events, including two in individual sections.
The duo are now headed for their second semifinal clash in two months.
Aditi, who considers the seasoned Jyothi as her idol, had ousted the latter 145-149 in the semifinal en route to becoming senior world champion at Berlin in August this year.
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Kerala DGP recommends action against ADGP Ajith Kumar for false testimony
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Director General of Police (DGP) Sheikh Darvesh Saheb has submitted a report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recommending legal action against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajithkumar for allegedly making a false statement implicating a fellow officer.
The DGP’s report states that both civil and criminal cases could be initiated against Ajithkumar for falsely accusing ADGP P. Vijayan of having ties to a gold smuggling gang. Following the allegation, Vijayan filed a formal complaint with the state police chief, prompting a direct investigation by the DGP.
After conducting the probe, DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb exonerated Vijayan and recommended that Ajithkumar be held accountable for his misleading claims.
The development has political overtones as well. P.V. Anvar, a two-time legislator who was elected as a CPI(M)-backed independent, resigned from his post after his own complaint against Ajithkumar was dismissed by the CPI(M) leadership and the Chief Minister. Anvar has since joined the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and declared support for the Congress candidate in the upcoming Nilambur assembly by-election.
Anvar accused the ruling dispensation of shielding Ajithkumar, alleging, “If anyone believes action will be taken based on this report, they are living in a fool’s paradise.” He also claimed that CM Vijayan considers Ajithkumar his “third son.”
The controversy unfolds as DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb prepares to retire on May 30. With six officers under consideration to succeed him, Ajithkumar ranks sixth on the list—a position now clouded by the fallout from the DGP’s report.
The final decision on whether action will be taken against Ajithkumar now lies with Chief Minister Vijayan.
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