Indian archers underlined their status as regional superpowers by bagging gold in both men’s and women’s team recurve. Jayanta Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai, Rahul Bannerjee and N Ravinder helped India beat Sri Lanka 212-201 in the semi-finals before the quartet teamed up to overwhelm Bhutan 220-196 in the final. The women’s team event also proved to be a one-sided affair with the Indian team of Dola Banerjee, Reena Kumari, Laxmi Rani Majhi and Sushma trouncing Bangladesh 200-163 in the semifinals before beating Bhutan 211-192 in the finalMore glory in athleticsAfter beginning their campaign on a high yesterday, the Indians added another three golds to their kitty today. Francis Sagairaj won the men’s 800m race with an effort of 1 minute 50.23 seconds, while Pinki Pramanik picked up two more gold by claiming top honours in the women’s 800m and being part of the triumphant 4x400m women’s relay team. S Shanthi won the 800m silver with an effort of 2:04.77. Pak beat IndiaIndian men were humiliated 2-0 by Pakistan in the team squash final, but the women saved the blushes by winning their summit clash with Sri Lanka by an identical margin. Singles gold medallist Joshna Chinappa beat Tehani Guruge 9-5, 9-2, 9-2 before Dipika Pallikal, the beaten singles finalist, overcame the challenge of Nirasha Guruge 9-4, 8-10, 9-4, 9-4.Shooters disappointIndia were upset by Pakistan, who took both the individual and team honours in the 25m standard pistol men’s event. Fourth in football India’s campaign in football competition ended in shambles when they went down 0-2 to Nepal in the bronze medal playoff.
