Promising Nurisa Dian Ashrifah made history on Thursday, winning Indonesia’s first Asian Games gold medal in archery with victory in the compound women’s individual event.
The 20-year-old edged Philippines’ Amaya Amparo Cojuangco 139-137 in a thrilling final after the archers were level on 110 following four ends at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Aichi Prefecture.
Ashrifah held her nerve in the decisive fifth end, shooting nine, X and 10, while Cojuangco closed with three nines to fall two points short.
Despite the defeat, the world number 221 also made history by claiming the Philippines’ first Asian Games silver medal in archery, surpassing Paul dela Cruz’s compound men’s individual bronze from 2014.
Meanwhile, Ashrifah’s victory marked Indonesia’s first Asian Games archery gold since making its debut at the continental event in 1978. The country’s previous archery medal came from its recurve men’s team at Hangzhou 2022.
The world number 80 had started the day by edging Indian top seed Chikitha Taniparthi 144-143 in the quarterfinals before defeating Korea’s teen sensation Kang Yeonseo 147-143 in the semifinals.
Ashrifah had to dig deep against the in-form Taniparthi, who had already helped India secure its first compound mixed team quota place for the LA28 Olympic Games a day before.
The Indonesian opened with six consecutive 10s but two eights in the fourth end put her under pressure. She recovered immediately, closing with two Xs and a nine to take the match by a single point.
Yeonseo, meanwhile, continued her impressive Asian Games debut by claiming her second bronze medal in as many days.
The 14-year-old beat compatriot Park Jungyoon 145-143 in the bronze medal match. A day earlier, she had joined Jungyoon and Park Yerin to take bronze in the compound women’s team event.
