The Indian women’s recurve team staged a stunning comeback under pressure to beat hosts China in a dramatic shootout to win the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai on Sunday. The trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenage sensation Kumkum Mohod beat the home side 5-4 after winning 28-26 in the tie-break after a furiously tense final that ended 4-4 after regulation.
The triumph held extra significance for the Indian side, who had earlier knocked out powerhouse South Korea – winners of 10 Olympic gold medals in the event – in the semi-finals. It marked India’s first women’s team World Cup title since 2021.
A veteran of India’s successful World Cup campaigns in Guatemala City and Paris in 2021, Deepika added another milestone in her decorated career by winning the team’s seventh World Cup gold medal overall. The medal also ended the Indian women’s recurve team’s three-year wait at the World Cup level, with the previous podium finish coming in Paris in 2023.
India’s medal tally in Shanghai has already started on a positive note after archer Sahil Jadhav secured a bronze a day earlier. The country also remained in the hunt for another medal, with Simranjeet Kaur reaching the reverse semi-finals to move within striking distance of her first individual World Cup podium finish.
DEEPIKA SEPTEMBER FOR INDIA
The Indian women competed without a permanent national coach due to ongoing uncertainty over appointments and relied heavily on Deepika’s guidance and experience throughout the competition. While designated coach Prafull Dange mostly stayed away, Deepika kept cheering and leading the team at crucial moments against a partisan crowd and energetic Chinese support staff.
China fielded a young squad with Zhu Jingyi, Huang Yuwei and teenage archer Yu Qi, all relatively new to the World Cup circuit. India started strongly and narrowly captured the opening set 54-53 with Deepika leading the way through consecutive 10s. However, Ankita and Kumkum soon showed signs of conflict.
In the second set, the tempo changed. Although India had a brief lead midway through the round, China responded with a brilliant performance to score 55 points. India faltered in the end and Deepika’s last arrow landed in the 7-ring, allowing the hosts to level the scores at 2-2.
China then surged ahead in the third set after a successful revision improved one of their arrows from 8 to 9, giving them a slim 57-56 set win and a 4-2 overall lead.
India looked headed for defeat in the fourth set despite Deepika rediscovering her accuracy with a pair of 10s. Kumkum’s last attempt ended in 7 rings, leaving India with a total of 54 and China requiring a strong finish to seal the title.
After Zhu and Huang shot perfect 10s, the hosts came within striking distance of victory, leaving young Yu Qi with just a 9 with the last arrow. But under immense pressure, the teenager managed to bowl only 8, opening the door for India and sending the match to a shootout.
India responded brilliantly in the decider. Ankita started with a composed nine before Kumkum delivered a clutch 10. With the title within reach, Deepika calmly shot a 9 to secure the gold medal and the cap for a memorable comeback win.
– The end
Published on:
10 May 2026 10:32 IST
