Indian women secure historic archery gold against South Korea
Indian archers shattered decades of dominance on Friday, capturing their first-ever women’s recurve team gold at the Nagoya Asian Games.
Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma, and 17-year-old Kumkum Anil Mohod secured a remarkable 5-3 victory over ten-time Olympic champions South Korea.
Both teams matched each other perfectly during the initial competitive stages. They split points evenly in the opening two sets, producing identical scores of 54-54 and 56-56 under intense arena pressure. South Korea suddenly faltered in the crucial third set. Their elite trio, featuring reigning world champion Kang Chaeyoung alongside Oh Yejin and Lee Yunji, uncharacteristically hit three consecutive eights to finish with just 51 points. India immediately capitalized on this rare opening, shooting a strong 55 to claim the set and establish a 4-2 advantage.
Crucial decision secures gold
Tension peaked dramatically during the decisive fourth set. South Korea posted a solid 54 points, demanding absolute precision from the Indian challengers. Kirti initially registered an eight with her opening shot, but target judges later upgraded the arrow to a nine after close inspection. This vital adjustment brought India’s total to exactly 54, forcing a tie in the set and mathematically sealing the overall 5-3 triumph. Kumkum delivered flawless final arrows under immense pressure to guarantee the historic victory.
Prior to this championship showdown, the Indian squad eliminated a strong Chinese roster with a decisive 5-1 win in the semi-finals. This historic gold medal represents a significant upgrade from the bronze they claimed at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Defeating the undisputed global leaders in recurve archery signals a profound shift in the sport’s international hierarchy. India’s remarkable composure against heavily favored South Korean veterans confirms the rising technical brilliance of their national development program.