Positive outlook behind Jyothi's memorable show

AP archer enjoying purple patch after misses in the past, claims third gold medal in Hangzhou

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

THE rolling Fushu mountain ranges offer a cinematic backdrop to the archery ranges in Hangzhou. The theatricality was further enhanced on Saturday as lowlying clouds acted as a white blanket, covering some of the mountains. While winter is yet to begin in this part of China, it was yet another cold and overcast start. The weather itself was more Manchester summer than mid-autumn Hangzhou — a perma soft drizzle. The rain, though, didn’t spoil Jyothi Surekha Vennam’s parade. It had merely come for the final coronation, a last act in a grand three-part series that will live long in the memory.

It began last Sunday when she finished with 704 out of a possible 720 to win the qualification rounds in the individual compound event. After taking down South Korea to win mixed gold in the company of Ojas Deotale, in the company of Aditi Swami, she beat Chinese Taipei in the women’s team event. For the final act, she beat South Korea’s Chaewon So 149-145 on Saturday morning for her third gold of the Games.