India’s recurve mixed team pair of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Mohod scripted a memorable upset on Sunday, defeating reigning Olympic champions South Korea in straight sets to capture the gold medal at Archery World Cup Stage 3.
The Indian duo, comprising 24-year-old Olympian Dhiraj and 17-year-old rising talent Kumkum, produced a calm and clinical display to beat Oh Ye-jin and Kim Je-deok by 5-1 (37-36, 37-36, 39-39) in the final.
From the opening set, the Indian pair showed remarkable composure under pressure. They edged the first set by a single point, repeated the feat in the second, and then held South Korea to a 39-all tie in the third to complete the victory. The performance was particularly impressive given South Korea’s dominance in world archery and its status as the defending Olympic champion in the event.
ย
Also read: Brazil-Morocco World Cup match ends in draw
Dhiraj, India’s top-ranked recurve archer, played a pivotal role in the closing stages. With the match on the line, he delivered two perfect 10s with his final arrows, demonstrating exceptional nerve and precision. Kumkum matched that confidence throughout the contest, contributing consistently high scores against one of the strongest teams in international archery.
The triumph marked the first World Cup mixed team gold medal for both Dhiraj and Kumkum. For Kumkum, the victory added to what has already been a breakthrough season. The teenager had also been part of India’s gold medal-winning women’s recurve team at the Shanghai World Cup Stage 2 last month.
Dhiraj’s campaign in Antalya is not over yet. The Olympian remains in contention in the individual event and is scheduled to compete in the semifinals, where he will aim to add another medal to his tally.
India’s previous recurve mixed team gold at a World Cup stage came in 2022, also in Antalya, when Ridhi Phor and Tarundeep Rai defeated Great Britain’s Bryony Pitman and Alex Wise in a shoot-off.
The latest success against South Korea is expected to be seen as a significant boost for Indian recurve archery, especially with a new generation of talent emerging alongside experienced international competitors.
