Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod and Kirti deliver a composed 5-3 victory over 10-time champions South Korea to secure India’s first-ever Asian Games gold in the women’s recurve team event.
New Delhi, Oct 2: India created history at the Asian Games as its women’s recurve archery team of Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod and Kirti stunned 10-time champions South Korea 5-3 to win the country’s first-ever gold medal in the event.
Competing in the women’s recurve team final for the first time in Asian Games history, the Indian trio produced a determined performance under challenging conditions at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square to overcome the formidable Korean side.
The victory marked a significant breakthrough for Indian recurve archery. India had previously won bronze medals in the women’s recurve team event at the 2010 and 2022 Asian Games after losing their respective semi-finals. South Korea, meanwhile, had dominated the event and had not lost an Asian Games final since the inaugural edition in 1982.
India entered the final after an impressive 5-1 victory over China in the semi-final, securing its place in the gold-medal contest for the first time.
The opening set of the final was closely fought, with both teams producing a total of 54 points. The 54-54 tie meant the two sides shared the set point, leaving the contest evenly poised at 1-1.
South Korea made a strong start to the second set, opening with scores of 10, 9 and 9. India responded with a 10 but then faced pressure after Kirti registered an 8. Ankita steadied the team with another crucial 10.
The Korean archers followed with a 10 and two 9s, putting India under further pressure. Ankita then found the centre again, but Kirti could manage only an 8. With the set hanging in the balance, 17-year-old Kumkum delivered under pressure with a perfect 10.
Her shot helped India level the set and take the overall score to 2-2.
India then gained the upper hand in the third set. South Korea opened with an 8 before responding with a 10 and a 9. India began strongly with a 10 and followed it with two 9s.
The Korean team subsequently struggled for consistency, recording three consecutive 8s. India seized the opportunity, although it also began its next sequence with an 8.
A 9 from the Indian side kept the advantage alive before Kumkum produced another crucial 10 with her final shot. India secured the set and moved ahead 4-2, putting itself within one set of the gold medal.
The fourth set proved decisive. South Korea started with two 9s and a 10, while India dropped two points with consecutive 8s before responding with a 9.
Korea then posted an 8, 9 and 9, leaving India needing a strong finish to close out the match.
Kirti began India’s final sequence with a 9. Ankita followed with another 9, leaving the outcome in Kumkum’s hands once again.
The teenager held her nerve and delivered a perfect 10.
The shot secured the set and completed India’s 5-3 victory, sparking celebrations among the Indian contingent.
The triumph not only ended South Korea’s long-standing dominance in the event but also gave India its maiden Asian Games gold in women’s recurve team archery.
For Bhakat, Mohod and Kirti, the victory represented a landmark achievement after India’s previous bronze-medal finishes in 2010 and 2022. Their performance also underlined the growing strength of Indian women’s recurve archery on the continental stage.
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 157 | 75 | 65 | 297 |
| 2 | Japan* | 63 | 80 | 80 | 223 |
| 3 | South Korea | 31 | 33 | 54 | 118 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 17 | 21 | 20 | 58 |
| 5 | Thailand | 14 | 11 | 15 | 40 |
| 6 | India | 12 | 24 | 34 | 70 |
