India Wins Women's Recurve Gold at Archery World Cup Stage 2

India's women's recurve archery team won the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai on Sunday, defeating host nation China 5-4 in a shoot-off after the final ended 4-4. The trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod secured the title with composed performances under pressure, following a dramatic comeback in the final set.

The Indian team advanced to the final by defeating 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals. They took an early lead in the final by winning the first set 54-53, but China leveled the match at 2-2 after capitalizing on lower scores from Kumkum and Deepika in the second set. China then moved ahead 4-2 after a successful arrow review in the third set.

India forced the shoot-off by winning the fourth set, after Chinese archer Yu Qi shot an 8 under pressure when a 9 would have clinched the title. In the shoot-off, Ankita Bhakat scored 9, Kumkum Mohod hit a 10, and Deepika sealed the win with a 9, securing the gold.

The win marks India's first women's recurve team gold at the Archery World Cup since 2021 and their first medal in the category in three years. The team, competing without a full-time national coach, will next prepare for the third stage of the World Cup in June.