Indian women's archery team wins gold at World Cup, defeats China in thrilling shoot-off final

History has been created, as India's women's recurve team secured the gold medal at the second stage of the 2026 Archery World Cup in Shanghai after defeating hosts China in a closely contested final. The trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod controlled their instincts in the dying stages of the contest to claim one of India's most significant team titles in recent years.

This win marks a major development for Indian recurve archery. The Indian Women's team recorded an amazing performance throughout the competition. In the semi final fixture, India managed to defeat 10-time Olympic champions South Korea.

Deepika's big role in India's success

The gold medal game turned out to be a high-scoring thriller. Both teams gave their level best in every round, with only a minimal points difference throughout the clash. India's biggest aspect was its consistency, as the archers rarely scored below the nine-rung and banked on the key moments when China seemed to make mistakes.

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Deepika Kumari, the most experienced member of the team, once again played a pivotal role in leading India. Ankita Bhakat gave a strong support with consistent scoring, while 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod recorded great temperament for her age and maintained her rhythm even in such a high-pressure final. The decisive momen came in the final round, where India grabbed the advantage with tighter grouping and fewer dropped points.

India's journey in the tournament

Coming back to India's journey in the competition, the Indian team got off to a strong start by securing a 6-2 win over Uzbekistan in the Round of 16. They then locked horns against Vietnam in the quarterfinal, where the game ended in a 5-4 tie and was decided through a shoot-off. India held its nerve in the crucial moments and claimed a 28-25 win to reach the next round.

The most significant moment came in the semifinal, where they demolished top-seeded South Korea 5-1. South Korea is famously regarded as the strongest side in world recurve archery, but the Indian side outperformed with precise shooting and strong strategy. Score of 58-55 and 58-56 in the opening and final sets. 

The semifinal outcome truly changed the atmosphere ahead of the final. Following that win, India emerged as the strongest contender for the title, and the team ultimately provided it by securing the gold medal.