Top Indian archer Abhishek Verma is still confident of clinching two medals in the Asian Games, the same number he won in the last edition, despite the compound section he competed in will not have individual events this time.
The 29-year-old Verma won two medals -- one in individual and the other in team event -- Incheon Asian Games in 2014 out of India's total of four, all from the compound section. The recurve archers had returned empty-handed.
With two World Cup gold medals and one silver in World Cup Final, Verma is the top medal prospect in these Asian Games beginning August 18. These Games though will have no individual events. He will be competing in team event and a mixed pair event.
"But that (no individual events in compound archery) will be same for everyone. We have mixed pair event inducted now, so either way I stand a chance to win two medals," Verma told PTI from his training base at Sonepat.
"Definitely, there will be medals in all the three sections -- men's and women's team events and mixed pair -- but it's difficult to predict the colour of medal right now. It will depend on that particular day and the conditions," he said.
India is the defending champions in the team event but Verma said: "We will not be under pressure. It's just that we will look to bag both the medals (team and mixed pair). All teams are very strong. We will look to give them competition, not the other way round."
"They did not win any but we won four. I'm sure we will win three in compound and three in recurve in Indonesia this time. There was a time when they won all the medals, hopefully good days will be back again soon."
About his role in the Indian team, he said: "I will be leading the team. I don't see any junior-senior divide. It's a team effort. As per the situation, we will decide on the order."
Terming this a fruitful experience, he said: "He (Sergio Pagni) did not make any drastic changes, but giving small but really helpful tips."
"Anyone can shoot an arrow but it's during a pressure match your real character comes out. He gave us tips on the things we lack and miss a medal during a pressure match. It's about winning from a crunch situation, which he has taught us."
"The biggest secret is the Centre of Excellence at SAI Sonepat. We spend our entire year here. We don't go around, we stay here completely focused on shooting. Full credit goes to COE Sonepat SAI. This is the only reason why we have been doing well consistently."