India’s women’s recurve archery team produced a sensational comeback performance to clinch the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, with veteran archer Deepika Kumari leading the side to a dramatic victory over hosts China.
The Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenage sensation Kumkum Mohod defeated China 5-4 in a tense shoot-off after the four-set final ended level at 4-4.
India started strongly by taking the opening set, with Deepika delivering successive perfect 10s to steady the team despite some inconsistent shooting from her younger teammates. However, China fought back brilliantly to level the contest and eventually moved ahead 4-2 after edging the third set following a successful review.
The Indian side looked close to defeat in the fourth set when China required just one more strong finish to seal the gold in front of the home crowd. But Chinese teenager Yu Qi missed a crucial arrow under pressure, forcing a shoot-off and giving India a lifeline.
India held their nerves superbly in the decider. Kumkum opened with a perfect 10, Ankita followed with a 9, and Deepika calmly delivered the final arrow to secure a memorable 28-26 shoot-off victory.
The triumph carried extra significance because India had earlier stunned 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals, marking one of the country’s biggest victories in recent years in women’s recurve archery.
The gold medal was India’s first women’s team World Cup title since 2021 and also the team’s first World Cup podium finish in three years. For Deepika, it marked her seventh World Cup team gold medal since 2010, further cementing her legacy as one of India’s greatest archers.
India concluded the Shanghai campaign with two medals overall after compound archer Sahil Jadhav had earlier secured a bronze medal in the men’s individual event.
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