In the world of archery, the Yecheon World Cup has been a stage for many memorable performances. This year, it witnessed the rise of a new star, Prathamesh Fuge, who advanced to his first World Cup semifinals.
Prathamesh Fuge’s incredible landmark
Fuge, a young compound archer, secured one of the top wins of his career when he shocked 2021 world champion and world No. 6 Nico Wiener. He beat Wiener 146-145 in the quarter-final, setting up a semi-final clash with James Lutz of the United States. Fuge’s entry into the semifinals was the lone bright spot for India on a disappointing day at the Archery World Cup Stage-2 at Yecheon.
Fuge’s performance was particularly impressive given the pressure he was under. He mounted early pressure, shooting a perfect round of 30 in the first end, as the Austrian heavyweight struggled to come back. Wiener managed to level 117-all in the fourth end, but Fuge held his nerves and dropped just one point in the final round to seal a thrilling one-point win.
This victory is a significant milestone in Fuge’s career, marking his arrival on the international stage. It also signals a promising future for Indian archery, which has been seeking new heroes. Fuge’s success could inspire a new generation of archers in India and serve as a testament to the potential of Indian athletes on the global stage.
Thrilling shooting in Yecheon for a place in the FINAL FOUR. 🫣
James Lutz knocks down top seed Fullerton.
Along with Prathamesh Fuge, Sawyer Sullivan and Mister Perfect, he will contend for a podium spot in Korea.#ArcheryWorldCup #FinalFour pic.twitter.com/pLcTzhWti0— World Archery (@worldarchery) May 23, 2024
However, the journey to this point has not been easy. Fuge’s success comes against the backdrop of a challenging day for the Indian team at the World Cup. The men’s and women’s recurve teams endured shock opening-round losses. Multiple World Cup gold medalist Abhishek Verma made a second-round exit, while Priyansh lost out in the pre-quarters.
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