India topped a strong field in the recurve bow team qualification round at the World Cup Archery (Stage II) in Antalya, Turkey, courtesy of strong performances from Rahul Banerjee, Jayanta Talukdar and Mangal Singh Champia.
According to information received here, the trio totaled 2018 points on Tuesday after two rounds of 70 metres where each archer shot 72 arrows.
Banerjee emerged the best among the Indians, scoring 679 points to occupy second position behind Brady Ellison (680) of the United States. Talukdar with 674 points was sixth, while Champia (665) and Tarundeep Rai (662) were a little behind at numbers 16 and 21 respectively.
The women’s team too impressed taking third place with 1939 points behind China and Russia. L. Bombayla Devi led from the front, garnering 650 points at number 12, while 16-year-old national champion Deepika Kumari (647) was 15th.
The men will now lock horns with 16th ranked Belarus in the team elimination round with the women’s team taking on Turkey in the round of 16.