India’s Swati Chaudhary won the silver medal in the women’s W1 individual archery event at the Asian Para Games on Thursday. She lost 4-6 to China’s Cen Mengkan in the final after taking a 4-2 lead.
The top-seeded Indian started well and won the first set 25-17 after Cen missed the target with one of her arrows. Swati took a 2-0 lead in the match.
Cen fought back in the second set as Swati struggled to score consistently. The Chinese archer won the set 22-21 to level the match at 2-2.
Swati bounced back in the third set. Cen scored eight, seven and six with her three arrows, allowing the Indian to take the set 22-21. Swati moved ahead 4-2 and was just one set away from winning gold.
Cen turns the match around
Cen raised her game in the fourth set, hitting three 10s, including a perfect 10. She scored 30 points, while Swati managed 20. The Chinese archer won the set to make it 4-4.
With the gold medal at stake, Cen kept her composure in the final set. She scored 28 points, while Swati managed 21. Cen won the set and completed a 6-4 victory to claim gold. Swati had to settle for silver.
The set scores were 25-17, 21-22, 22-21, 20-30 and 21-28.
Swati adds another medal
Swati had won bronze at the World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad last month. She added an Asian Para Games silver to her medal tally after a strong run to the final.
The W1 category is for archers with significant impairments affecting both their arms and legs. Athletes in this category compete in wheelchairs.