The Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Kumkum Mohod upstaged World Cup Stage-1 champion and host China, consisting of Zhu Jingyi, Huang Yuwei and Yu Qi, 5-4 in the final to claim the recurve women’s team gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage-2 in Shanghai on Sunday (May 10, 2026).

Riding on their inspiring 5-1 upset win over 10-time Olympic champion Korea in the semifinals, the Indian women’s team clinched a gold after five years. Both Deepika and Ankita were part of the team (also including Komalika Bari) that had beaten Mexico to secure the top honour at Guatemala City in 2021.

India, comprising two Olympians and a 17-year-old rookie (Kumkum), won the first set before China caught up and the two teams were eventually tied 4-4. In the shoot-off, the Chinese scored 8, 9, 9 and the Indians responded with 9, X, 9 to record a 28-26 win and script a morale-boosting performance ahead of the Asian Games.

Deepika, who had picked up an individual bronze at the same venue last year, said she successfully overcame a distraction in the final. “I did not shoot well then (Shanghai 2025)…I am heading in a good direction,” Deepika told World Archery.

In the women’s recurve individual event, Simranjeet Kaur, who achieved her career-best performance by reaching the semifinals, lost to Korean Olympic medallist Kang Chaeyoung 0-6 in the last-four and another Korean Jang Minhee 4-6 in the bronze medal match.

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 (May 9, 2026).

The victory was especially sweeter as India had earlier stunned record 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals en route to their first World Cup women’s team gold since 2021.

Deepika, who was also part of India’s World Cup-winning teams in Guatemala City and Paris in 2021, now has seven World Cup team gold medals to her name since 2010.

It was also the Indian women recurve team’s first World Cup medal in three years, its previous podium finish coming in Stage 4 in Paris in 2023, where Ankita was a member of the winning team.

Travelling without a full-time national coach amid the impasse over appointments, it was the vastly experienced Deepika who led from the front, constantly motivating her teammates during breaks and changeovers.

Prafull Dange, who was the designated women’s recurve coach after his ward Kumkum topped the national trials, largely remained in the background as Deepika guided the side through the pressure moments against a hostile home crowd and vocal Chinese support staff.

Against a young Chinese side comprising Zhu Jingyi, Huang Yuwei and teenage archer Yu Qi, who all made their World Cup debuts only last year, India looked in control initially but nearly let the match slip after taking the opening set (54-53).

Shooting last in the Indian order, Deepika set the tone with successive 10s as India took the first set despite Ankita (8-8) and 17-year-old Kumkum (10-8) putting up an inconsistent show.

Deepika continued her fine rhythm in the second set with another perfect 10 as India briefly held a one-point advantage (28-27) midway through the end. But China responded strongly with two 9s and a 10 in their final three arrows of the second set to post 55.

Ankita replied with a 9, but Kumkum managed only an 8, leaving Deepika needing a 10 to level the set.

The four-time Olympian, however, slipped to a 7 as India lost the set 52-55 and China drew level at 2-2.

The hosts then moved ahead in the third set. The teams were initially tied at 56, but a review upgraded China’s final arrow from 8 to 9, handing them the set 57-56 and a 4-2 lead.

India appeared on the verge of defeat in the fourth set despite Deepika rediscovering her touch with two 10s. Kumkum’s final arrow landed in the 7-ring as India posted a modest 54.

China required two 10s and a 9 from their last three arrows to seal the match.

Zhu and Huang delivered perfect 10s, but Yu Qi fell short before the Indians peaked in the tiebreaker.

A third medal eluded India after Simranjeet was outclassed by the reigning world champion Kang 6-0 (26-25, 24-29, 26-28).

Up against another Korean, Jang Minhee, in the bronze medal match, Simranjeet squandered an opening set lead before going down 4-6 (29-27, 27-29, 28-28, 28-29, 28-28).

(With inputs from PTI)

Published – May 10, 2026 08:51 am IST

Indian archery heads into another major event clouded by poor planning, lack of direction and the absence of a full-time foreign coach, an alarming situation in an Asian Games year, as a strong field assembles for World Cup Stage 2 beginning here on Tuesday.

With the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan scheduled from September 19-October 4 approaching fast, India’s build-up looks far from convincing.

The season began with a disappointing outing at the World Cup Stage 1 in Mexico, where the only saving grace was a gold medal from the women’s compound team.

That result did little to hide deeper concerns.

Despite competing in a depleted field, with powerhouse South Korea skipping the event, India’s recurve archers failed to step up.

It turned into a reality check as none of the leading names, including former Olympians Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat could reach the medal rounds.

Das and Dhiraj managed pre-quarterfinal finishes before bowing out.

The men’s recurve team, seeded 10th, suffered an opening-round exit after losing to Spain in straight sets.

The women’s team cleared the first hurdle but went down to Turkey in the quarterfinals.

In the individual section, Deepika, India’s most decorated archer, exited in the second round.

Ankita, Simranjeet Kaur and Kumkum Mohod progressed one round further before losing in the third round. The mixed team pairing of Dhiraj and Kumkum also endured a forgettable outing, crashing out in the opening round to Brazil.

Despite such an underwhelming performance, the national federation has retained the same squad for the first two World Cup stages, with selection trials for the Asian Games and the next World Cup legs slated in Sonipat from May 15.

As a result, India will once again rely on an ageing Tarundeep, an out-of-form Dhiraj, inconsistent Atanu and struggling veterans like Deepika and Ankita in Shanghai, this time against a much stronger field.

It will be a miracle of sorts if the Indian recurve side returns with a medal.

South Korea returns with a full-strength men’s team featuring five Olympic gold medal winners in Kim Woojin, Lee Woo Seok, Seo Mingi and Kim Je Deok, a line-up capable of dominating any competition.

The women’s team, though rejigged, still has reigning world champion and world No. 1 Kang Chaeyoung alongside Lee Yunji, Oh Yejin and Jang Minhee.

With the Asian Games on the horizon and in the close proximity of Shanghai, several Asian nations including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia have also sent teams to gain valuable exposure.

A total of 320 archers will compete at the Yuanshen Sports Centre, 48 more than last year.

No coach, no clarity

India’s biggest concern, however, remains off the field.

With just over four months left for the Asian Games, the country still does not have a proper head coach.

The team is being managed by personal coaches, with the archer topping the trials effectively deciding support staff, a system that reflects a lack of structure and long-term planning.

Talks with noted compound coach Sergio Pagni, who guided India to a historic five-gold haul at the last Asian Games, and renowned recurve coach Kisik Lee, who helped the USA win three Olympic medals between 2012 and 2016, have not resulted in full-time appointments due to reported disagreements over remuneration.

There is talk of a part-time arrangement but there is still no clarity, adding to the sense of drift in a crucial year.

Given the current scenario, a podium finish from the recurve section would be a big surprise.

In such a scenario, once again India’s medal hopes will rest on the compound archers.

The women’s team will be led by the consistent Jyothi Surekha Vennam, with support from former world champion Aditi Swami and experienced Madhura Dhamangaonkar.

The men’s side, featuring seasoned campaigners Abhishek Verma and former world champion Ojas Deotale along with Kushal Dalal, will look to improve on their pre-quarterfinal exit in Mexico.

Against this backdrop, Shanghai will offer a clear measure of where India stands ahead of the Asian Games.

Squads:

Recurve men: Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Yashdeep Bhoge

Recurve women: Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, Simranjeet Kaur and Kumkum Mohod.

Compound men: Abhishek Verma, Kushal Dalal, Ojas Deotala and Sahil Jadhav

Compund women: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, Pragati and Madhura Dhamangaonkar.

Published – May 05, 2026 03:51 am IST