11 Aug 2012 the Knockout stage of the 16th Yangphel Open Archery Tournament began with traditional ‘marchang’ ceremony presided by Dasho Col. Rinzin at Thimphu Changlimithang ranges. Immediately after the start of the opening matches, the team ‘Pelden Group of Companies’ began to show their supremacy.
In the very first round, at the lower Changlimithang bacho, Pelden Group completed their first game set with six kareys. The 3 kareys of Druk Cat’ in this round was not enough to hold them since Pelden Group’s six hits included 3 bull’s eye hits. They then went on to complete another 3 game sets in 5th, 10th and 13th round. Done without any fanfare, Pelden Group
quietly brought karey total to 50 hits and completely rout their opponents ‘Tshering Meto AV Production’ and Druk Cats. It was knockout performance by Pelden Group!
The opening match at the upper bacho was more competitive, where the two teams of Planet Gym and Technical Training Institute had to go into the penalty shootout after tying at 2 game-set each. The other team Gencha could complete no game set. Tshering Wangchuk’s single bull’s eye hit decided the outcome in the favor of Planet Gym
The afternoon match at the upper bacho was also decided through penalty shootout where Dragon Roots came out victorious defeating fellow team from Phuntsholing the Rangdol’s Mart and a team from Paro – the Wangchu 8.
Phuentsholing’s team Kencho Tsering Const. overcame Thimphu’s Thangka House and Trongsa’s Mangdue Trophel with their 2 game sets and 35 kareys at the lower bacho in the afternoon.
These winners would play again at Changlimithang for the quarterfinals that begin Aug 20. They will have to prove then again. And going by the day’s score’s it looks like Pelden Group will breeze through that next stage as well.
Pelden Group’s individual total is impressive as well, Tshewang Dorji hit 15 kareys today and Tshetem Phuntsho added another 14. On average, a player of Pelden Group makes 10 hits each.
It is difficult to match such a knockout display of skills but it could be – since there are other 71 top teams that have come to Changlimithang from around the country to play this stage. They have proved themselves in their regional league to qualify for this stage and from among 260 teams that started off the tournament.
