Deepika Kumari Leads India To Archery World Cup Gold
Deepika’s Team Defeated China In A Shoot-Off To Win The Gold Medal ! India’s First World Cup Gold Medal Since 2021 : India’s women’s recurve team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhagat and Kumkum Mohod won gold at the second stage of the Archery World Cup on Sunday, defeating host nation China in a tense shoot-off. It is India’s first World Cup gold medal since 2021.The final went down to the wire after India took the opening set and China responded to level the match at 4-4 following four scheduled sets. In the shoot-off, the Indian trio held their nerve to prevail 5-4 with a score of 28-26.Veteran Deepika Kumari delivered under pressure, scoring a crucial nine points with the final arrow to seal the win.
The victory capped a strong run for India, which had earlier upset 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals.This is India’s second medal of the tournament. On Saturday, reigning World University Games champion Sahil Jadhav won bronze in the men’s compound event at the same stage.India remains in contention for a third medal, with Simranjit Kaur set to compete in the women’s recurve semifinals later on Sunday. A win would earn her first World Cup medal.The result marks a significant comeback for Indian recurve archery on the world stage after a four-year gap without a World Cup gold.
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India’s Journey To Archery Gold
There was however heartbreak for Simranjeet Kaur who lost to World No. 1 and eventual champion Kang Chaeyoung of South Korea in straight sets in the semifinal, before going down to another Korean, Jang Minhee, in the playoff for the bronze medal.
India thus ended their campaign with two medals — one gold and bronze that came through Sahil Jadhav in the men’s individual compound section on Saturday.
Led by four-time Olympian Deepika, India were inconsistent and almost let it slip after taking the first set.
Trailing 2-4, India were on the verge of defeat but the relatively-inexperienced Chinese side comprising two 21-year-olds in Zhu Jingyi, Huang Yuwei and teenager Yu Qi failed to wrap it up in the fourth set.
Needing a nine in the final arrow, the 18-year-old Yu Qi slipped to 8-ring, giving Indians a lucky escape as the trio peaked well to win the ensuing shoot-off by two points.
