Indian Archers Stun China After Upsetting South Korea

India’s women’s recurve trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenage sensation Kumkum Mohod produced a nerve-wracking performance to defeat hosts China and win the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 on Sunday.

In a thrilling final that swung repeatedly between the two sides, the Indian team edged past the Chinese archers 5-4 after winning the shoot-off 28-26. The regulation sets had ended level at 4-4, forcing the contest into a tense decider.

The Indian archers displayed remarkable composure under pressure, especially during the final shoot-off, to secure a memorable victory in front of the home crowd supporting China.

The triumph became even more significant as the Indian team had earlier pulled off a major upset by defeating South Korea — the record 10-time Olympic champions — in the semifinals.

This marks India’s first women’s recurve team gold medal at a World Cup event since 2021, signalling a strong resurgence for the squad on the international stage.

Deepika Kumari, one of India’s most experienced archers, played a key role alongside Ankita Bhakat and rising youngster Kumkum Mohod, whose calm performance in high-pressure moments drew praise.

The victory is expected to boost confidence within the Indian archery contingent ahead of upcoming major international competitions.