Nerve of Steel: Deepika, Ankita & Kumkumi Clinch Thrilling Shoot-Off Gold for India in Shanghai

The Indian women’s recurve archery team pulled off a heist under pressure on Sunday, pipping hosts China 5-4 in a dramatic shoot-off to claim the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2. For a squad that has often stumbled at the final hurdle, this victory—India’s first women’s team World Cup gold since 2021—felt like a long-overdue exorcism of ghosts.

The trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and young Kumkum Mohod didn’t just win. They survived.

 A final that swung like a pendulum

For most of the afternoon at the Shanghai venue, the gold medal match looked like it was slipping away. India drew first blood by clinching the opening set, but the Chinese unit, roared on by a noisy home crowd, hit back immediately. The momentum truly shifted in the third set.

With the scores locked at 56-56, the hosts successfully challenged a call, upgrading their final arrow from an 8 to a 9. That decision gave China a 4-2 lead. The pressure was suddenly crushing.

Deepika delivers when it matters most

Trailing 2-4 heading into the fourth set, India needed something special. Deepika Kumari, the veteran of seven World Cup medals now, stepped up. She drilled two perfect 10s, helping India post a solid 54.

China needed two 10s and a 9 from their last three arrows to seal the deal without a shoot-off. Zhu Jingyi and Huang Yuwei delivered the 10s. But teenager Yu Qi, needing a 9, flinched. Her arrow landed on 8. The scores were tied 4-4. Game on.

In the one-arrow shoot-off, Ankita opened steady with a 9. Kumkum, showing maturity beyond her years, slammed a 10. Needing an 8 to win, the experienced Deepika stepped to the line and shot a clinical 9. The Indian dugout erupted.

 The tough road to the top

The gold didn’t come easy. India’s campaign began with a 6-2 disposal of Uzbekistan, followed by a nervy 5-4 quarterfinal win over Vietnam. But the semi-final was the statement.

Facing a dominant South Korean unit—10-time Olympic champions—the Indian women refused to buckle. In a stunning upset, they outclassed the Korean giants 5-1. According to team sources, that win gave the squad the belief that Shanghai could be their day.

 A medal rush for the contingent

Sunday’s gold is India’s second medal of the competition. On Saturday, compound archer Sahil Jadhav secured a bronze. Meanwhile, Simranjeet Kaur has marched into the semi-finals of the women’s recurve individual event and remains in contention for another podium finish.

For now, though, the focus is on this historic team gold. After four years of waiting, India’s women archers are back on top of the world. And they did it with a held breath and a perfect 9.