Dola Banerjee created history for India today, winning the grand final of the World Archery Championships in Dubai. An ecstatic Dola said from Dubai: “This is a very special moment for me. I dedicate the victory to my country.”

In the gold medal match in the recurve event for women, Dola defeated Choi Eun Young of South Korea 110-109. In the semi-final, she had defeated Natalia Erdyniyeva of Russia 108-106.

In the final, Choi had the first go at the target and got 9-9-10 (28). Dola trailed by one point after the first round with 10-8-9 (27). The young Korean started the second with an 8 but went on with two 10s to keep her short lead over her opponent who scored two 9s and one 10 (56-55).

In what turned out to be an extremely close contest, Choi kept the lead at 85-84 and it seemed that Dola’s dreams of becoming champion would remain unfulfilled. And that feeling got stronger as she shot an 8 with her 10th arrow. But Choi faltered a bit, and shot a 7 at this point, and the scores were tied.

They both shot a 9 next and Dola struck 8 with her last arrow. Choi needed a nine to win, but she failed and the Indian returned triumphant.

Indian Archery Association vice president, Pareshnath Mukherjee, said from Dubai: “It is a great win. Dola has scripted history for India. We are all extremely proud of her. It was a very tough battle, but she remained cool and got the reward.”

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