India’s women’s recurve archery team produced a sensational performance to clinch its maiden Asian Games gold medal, defeating the mighty South Korea 5-3 in the final at Nagoya on Friday.
The Indian trio of Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod held their nerve in challenging, windy conditions to overcome a South Korean side boasting considerable Olympic pedigree.
The closely fought final saw both teams share the first two sets. India and South Korea scored 54 points apiece in the opening set before both teams registered 56 in the second, leaving the contest evenly poised.
The decisive moment came in the third set when South Korea faltered under pressure. The Korean trio of Kang Chaeyoung, Oh Yejin and Lee Yunji hit three consecutive 8s, finishing the set with 52 points. India capitalised on the opening, scoring 55 to take the set and move closer to the gold.
With the title within reach, the fourth set produced another tense exchange. South Korea finished with 54 points, while Kirti Sharma initially recorded an 8 with her opening arrow. The score was subsequently changed to 9 after a decisive ruling, taking India’s total to 54.
The resulting 54-54 tie in the fourth set was enough for India to secure the overall 5-3 victory and seal a historic gold medal.
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India had earlier booked its place in the final with a commanding 5-1 victory over China in the semifinal, reaching the women’s recurve final at the Asian Games for the first time.
The triumph marks a significant milestone for Indian archery, with the women’s recurve team finally adding an Asian Games gold to its medal collection.
India’s women’s compound team had previously won a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, but the recurve team’s victory in Nagoya represents its first-ever Asian Games gold medal.
With composure in the wind, precision under pressure and a decisive finish, Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod have now etched their names into Indian archery history.
