Dhiraj Bommadevara breaks Asian Games recurve record in qualification

India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara set an Asian Games record by scoring 698 points to top the men’s recurve qualification in Okazaki City on Saturday. The 25-year-old Army archer, ranked fourth in the world, scored 348 in his first 36 arrows before adding 350 in the second half. His total surpassed the previous Asian Games qualification record of 690, set by South Korea’s Lee Woo Seok.

South Korea’s Kim Je Deok finished second with 693, while Chinese Taipei’s Chin-Hun Tang was third with 692. Lee Woo Seok placed fourth with 687. Dhiraj’s result earned him a bye into the second round of the 64-archer individual elimination draw.

Dhiraj’s Indian teammates Neeraj Chauhan and Yashdeep Bhoge finished 18th and 25th respectively. Bhoge missed an individual knockout place. India received the second seed in the men’s team event behind Korea and will face the Philippines in the pre-quarterfinals.

India have not won men’s recurve individual gold at the Asian Games. Tarundeep Rai’s silver in 2010 remains the country’s best result in that event. South Korea’s Kim Woojin, who was seeking a third Asian Games gold, missed the individual elimination round after finishing third among his country’s archers.

In the women’s compound qualification, India’s Chikitha Taniparthi led the standings with 705 out of 720. Iran’s Bita Asheghzadeh Oskouei was second with 704. Jyothi Surekha Vennam finished 13th and qualified for the elimination round, while Prithika Pradeep missed an individual place.

India earned the second seed in the women’s compound team event and will begin against Mongolia. The women’s recurve and men’s compound qualifications were scheduled for later in the competition.