Seasoned Amaya still on target

Veteran archer Amaya Amparo Cojuangco fought Indonesian opponent Nurisa Dian Ashrifah tooth and nail in the final of the women’s individual compound event of the 20th Asian Games.

The thrilling gold medal showdown went down to the final two arrows.

Unfortunately for the long-time Philippine bet, her last two shots fell short of the Indonesian’s mark as she settled for a silver medal in a close-shaved, 137-139, loss on Thursday at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square.

Cojuangco, despite the heartbreak, made history by delivering the greatest performance of a Filipino archer on the continental stage with a breakthrough Asiad championship appearance.

It was a tight shootout until the fifth game as the two archers entered the last frame tied at 110 and both sporting an “X” each.

Cojuangco matched Ashrifah with a 28-all opening and 29-29 third end. The fourth game belonged to Cojuangco, 27-26.

Both scored nine points in their first arrow in the fifth end before Ashrifah hit a second “X” on her second shot. Cojuangco was already trailing by a point approaching the third arrow, where Ashrifah hit a 10.

The Filipina then landed only a nine in her final shot.

Cojuangco’s silver finish has surpassed the country’s previous best Asian Games compound result — a bronze medal won by Paul Marton dela Cruz back in 2014.

Cojuangco’s path to the podium was nothing short of spectacular.

In the quarterfinals, she dominated Iranian Bita Asheghzadeh Oskouei, 146-135, firing three perfect 30-point ends in the second, third, and fifth games.

She followed that up with a massive, nerve-wracking, 142-141, semifinal upset over South Korean Park Jungyoon to book her historic finals berth.