ARCHER SACHIN BAGS THREE GOLD, BCU WIN MEN’S HOCKEY TITLE

BENGALURU: Archers and shooters dominated a day of enthralling and high stakes competition—marred by thundershowers—at the Khelo India University Games here on Sunday.

Sachin Gupta lit up the archery competition, grabbing three yellow metals in as many events in the recurve archery—the most dominant display by any archer at the Games. Gupta, a student at Kurukshetra University, kicked off his personal flurry in the men’s singles, beating Yashdeep Bhoge in a close match 6-4. An hour later, he teamed up with Kirti to win the mixed recurve. By the end of the day, he had added the men’s team recurve gold to his tally.

Gupta had returned to competition after a five-year break from the sport.

In hockey, Bangalore City University (BCU) defended their KIUG title in the men’s competition. The final between BCU and Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) was played in front of a partisan crowd at the Field Marshal KM Cariappa stadium. BCU talisman Harish Mutagar solidified his credentials as one of the players of the tournament, scoring two as the local team prevailed 3-0. Mutagar ended up as the top scorer of the men’s tournament.

Speaking later, GNDU’s manager GS Sangha rued his side’s missed chances, but said it would be a good experience for his wards. “We were knocked out in the quarters at the Inter University Championship, but reached the finals here,” Sangha said. “Even today, with a few minor improvements at crucial times we could have been on the winning side.”

Sangha also credited BCU not just for winning the tournament but also doing so in a dominant manner. “They have been the best team here.”

Asian Games gold medallist, Ashish Ballal, watching the final, commended the Games for strengthening sports at grassroots level. “As a young player, you can get better only by playing tournaments and matches,” Ballal said. “Otherwise its like studying but never having to give an exam. The Games are a great initiative.”