Indian Women’s Recurve Team Stuns China To Clinch Gold The Indian women’s recurve archery team, comprising Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and 17-year-old Amravati athlete Kumkum Mohod, delivered a stunning performance at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, defeating host nation China 5-4 (28-26) in a dramatic shoot-off to secure their first gold medal since 2021. The victory marked the end of a three-year medal drought for the Indian women’s recurve team at the World Cup, with the team’s last podium finish occurring at Stage 4 in Paris 2023. The final, held before a roaring Chinese crowd, was a tense and thrilling contest. India took an early lead in the first set, winning 54-53, but China fought back to take the next two sets, 55-52 and 57-56. The fourth set ended in a 54-53 victory for India, forcing a shoot-off to decide the match. Under immense pressure, the Indian archers remained composed, with Deepika Kumari delivering a crucial 9 on the final arrow to secure the decisive 28-26 win. Kumkum Mohod, the youngest member of the team, scored a perfect 10 in the shoot-off, while Ankita Bhakat contributed a 9. This triumph followed a semifinal victory over 10-time Olympic champions South Korea, where India continued their “giant-killing” streak. Deepika Kumari, the team’s veteran, claimed her seventh World Cup team gold since 2010, including her role in India’s last gold medal win in 2021. The win was particularly significant as it shattered China’s hopes of securing gold on their home turf. Beyond the women’s recurve team, India also secured a bronze medal in the men’s individual compound event, won by Sahil Jadhav.#indian_womens_recurve_team #kumkum_mohod #archery_world_cup_stage_2 #deepika_kumari #ankita_bhakat
Indian Women’s Recurve Team Upset Korea, Amravati Teenager Kumkum Makes Her Mark Amravati’s 16-year-old archer Kumkum Mohod played a pivotal role as the Indian women’s recurve team delivered a stunning 5-1 victory over 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals of the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai. The win, achieved in a high-stakes match on Thursday, secured India’s first medal of the event and set up a gold medal showdown against China on Sunday. Kumkum’s performance, which matched the precision of seasoned archers Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat, highlighted her potential as a rising star in Indian archery. The Indian team’s dominance began with a commanding first set, scoring 58 points to Korea’s 55 after securing four perfect 10s in six arrows. The second set proved more challenging, with India’s accuracy dipping slightly, but the team maintained a narrow lead of 56-56 before extending their advantage to 3-1. In the decisive third set, India closed the gap with a powerful 58-point finish to Korea’s 56, sealing the 5-1 victory. Korea, which fielded a developmental lineup ahead of the Asian Games in Japan, included debutants Lee Yunji and Oh Yejin alongside world champion Kang Chaeyoung. Olympic stars An San and Lim Sihyeon opted out of the event. Kumkum, who topped the Indian recurve trials in February, proved her mettle under pressure. Her ability to stay composed in tense moments earned praise from her coach, Prafull Dange, who called her “India’s future star in recurve.” The win marks Kumkum’s second World Cup appearance, with her medal prospects now assured. India’s success in the women’s team was complemented by a strong start to the tournament.#south_korea #shanghai #indian_womens_recurve_team #kumkum_mohod #archery_world_cup_stage_2
