India End Korea’s Seven-Title Reign, Win Historic Women’s Recurve Gold

AICHI-NAGOYA, Oct 2: India created history in Asian Games archery on Friday, defeating reigning champions South Korea 5-3 to win the women’s recurve team gold for the first time.

Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and 17-year-old Kumkum Anil Mohod displayed remarkable composure in windy conditions to end South Korea’s seven-title winning streak in the event.

The opening two sets were closely contested, with both teams scoring 54 in the first set and 56 in the second, leaving the match level at 2-2.

India then produced a decisive performance in the third set. While South Korea faltered with its final arrows, the Indian trio finished strongly with an 8-9-10 sequence to score 55 against Korea’s 51 and take a 4-2 lead.

The fourth set delivered a dramatic finish. Both teams scored 54, but a crucial scoring revision proved decisive. Kirti’s opening arrow, initially judged to be an 8, was upgraded to a 9 after closer examination. The tied set gave India the single point needed to seal the historic victory.

India had earlier stormed into the final with a 5-1 victory over China, reaching the women’s recurve team final at the Asian Games for the first time.

South Korea had won every women’s recurve team gold at the Asian Games since 1998 and were bidding for an eighth consecutive title.

The triumph marks a landmark achievement for Indian women’s recurve archery, while 17-year-old Kumkum’s composed performance under pressure added further significance to the historic victory.