Nagpur Archer Creates History, Ties World Record on Way to National Crown
Ojas Pravin Deotale, the star archer from Nagpur, has added another glorious chapter to his already illustrious career. The 23-year-old, who is India's first compound archery world champion and a triple gold medallist from the Asian Games, achieved a phenomenal feat in Hyderabad. During the final of the 21st NTPC Senior Compound National Archery Championship, Ojas not only clinched the national title but also matched a prestigious world record.
A Perfect Score to Match a Global Benchmark
In a display of supreme skill and nerve, Ojas shot a perfect score of 150 in the 15-arrow compound match final. The remarkable aspect was that 13 of his 15 arrows landed in the 'X' ring – the innermost circle measuring just 4 centimetres in diameter. This performance tied the existing world record set by Denmark's Mathias Fullerton at the 2024 Buckeye Classic. Fullerton had broken the previous record of 12 Xs held by Reo Wilde.
The stage for this record-equalling act was the summit clash against his idol, Abhishek Verma of Delhi, widely regarded as one of India's most talented compound archers. The final was a nail-biting affair that went down to the wire. While Abhishek scored a commendable 148, a couple of nine-point shots proved decisive. Ojas remained unerringly accurate till the very end, sealing a 150-148 victory and the national championship.
Road to the Record-Breaking Final
Ojas's path to the final was marked by consistent dominance. In the two-set qualification round, he finished atop the table with 710 points. He carried this impeccable form through all the elimination rounds, setting up the highly anticipated title clash with Abhishek Verma. The young archer, who trains under coach Pravin Sawant at the Drushti Archery Academy in Satara, was assisted by Sawant during the crucial final round.
An elated Ojas, who received the Arjuna Award last year, shared his thoughts after the triumph. "I am very happy and satisfied to match the world record and at the same time win the national championship. I hope to continue the form in forthcoming championships," he said.
Silver Linings in Team Events
Prior to his individual gold, Ojas had already secured podium finishes in the team events. He showcased his team spirit by winning two silver medals:
- In the men's team event, alongside Prathamesh Jawkar, Mihir Apar, and Prathamesh Fuge.
- In the mixed team event, where he paired with world women's archery champion Aditi Swamy.
This performance in Hyderabad reinforces Ojas Pravin Deotale's status as a once-in-a-generation talent in Indian archery. From making Nagpur proud as its first Asian Games medallist to now matching a world record, his journey continues to inspire aspiring athletes across the nation.
