Upashana upsets Dola for gold in Archery

Guwahati, Feb 16 (UNI) Upashana from Uttar Pradesh pulled off an upset win over reigning national champion Dola Banerjee of Jharkhand in the archery range of the 33rd national games to win the gold in recurve round here today.

''It is great feeling to have defeated Dola in a final round for the first time. I am inspired to put in extra efforts to do well in Beijing Olympics next year,''said a smiling 21-year-old Upashana just after her win against the fancied opponent.

Chekrowelosewro of Nagaland emerged as the dark horse to pocket the bronze in the same event.

In the individual compound round in women section, Jharkhand women made a clean sweep by winning the three medals. Manjudha Soy led from the front by winning the gold while Jhanu Hansda and Nomita Yadav bagged the silver and bronze respectively.

Andhra Pradesh archer Mangal Singh Champia upset promising Rahul Banerjee of Jharkhand by winning the gold in recurve round in men's section while Rajib Basumatary of host Assam won the bronze.

In compound round in men's section, Rajwant Singh and Vikash Sherawat of Delhi won the gold and silver respectively.

Maharashtra's Aryavart Dabas came in third.

In recurve team (men) round Chandigarh archers won the gold while the silver went to Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). Here Jharkhand team got the bronze.

Uttar Pradesh women dominated the recurve team round by winning the gold. Jharkhand team won the silver while the host Assam won the bronze.

Over 250 archers from 22 states were vying for medals in Chatra Singh Teron Archery Range and Pavillion. All the top bracket archers of the country including current national champions Dola Banerjee (Jharkhand) and Lenin (Andhra Pradesh), reigning junior national champion Rahul Banerjee (Jharkhand), and the immensely promising Reena Kumari (Jharkhad), are participating.

UNI