The Indian recurve contingent produced a solid showing in the qualification rounds of the Archery World Championships 2025, setting themselves up for a promising campaign in both individual and team events.
With consistent performances from the women’s trio and steady if not spectacular shooting from the men, India finds itself well placed in the elimination brackets across categories. India’s biggest highlight in the qualification came from Deepika Kumari, who once again underlined her reputation as one of the most reliable performers in the women’s recurve. The experienced archer shot 677 points, finishing 6th overall. Her performance not only secured her a strong seeding for the elimination rounds but also reinforced her status as India’s anchor in major competitions.
Backing her up was Gatha Bhardwaj, whose consistent shooting brought her a total of 666 points, placing her 14th. It was a composed effort that ensured India had more than one archer in the top 20, an encouraging sign ahead of the team competition.
Ankita Bhakat rounded off the women’s individual qualifiers with 656 points, finishing 30th. While slightly lower in the standings compared to her teammates, Ankita’s presence in the top 32 ensures that all three Indian women will feature in the elimination rounds with competitive draws.
With three archers inside the top 30, the Indian women’s side demonstrated both depth and consistency a positive indicator for the rest of the tournament.
Men’s Individual Qualification: Work to Do
The men’s recurve qualification saw India’s trio put in solid but unspectacular performances. Leading the charge was Neeraj Chauhan, who scored 670 points to finish 36th. Close behind was Dhiraj Bommadevara, with 669 points, placing 39th. Both were consistent throughout the round but lacked the high 680+ scores that could have given them stronger seeds. Rahul managed 657 points, finishing 62nd. While it was enough to ensure his entry into the elimination rounds, he faces a tougher path ahead given his lower seeding.
The men’s results, while steady, highlighted the need for sharper execution in high-pressure phases. The spread between India’s highest and lowest scoring men also pointed to areas for improvement if they are to challenge the leading nations in team competition.
Women’s Team: A Strong 3rd Place
The standout result for India came in the women’s team event, where the combined scores of Deepika (677), Gatha (666), and Ankita (656) tallied 1999 points, placing India 3rd in the standings. This high seeding will allow them to avoid early clashes with top teams and gives them a clear path to push for the podium.
With South Korea and China traditionally dominant in women’s recurve, India’s ability to break into the top three at qualification reflects both their consistency and ability to stay competitive at the highest level. Much will depend on how the trio handles knockout pressure, but their current form suggests they are well equipped for a deep run. Indian Women who have a bye awaits the winner of Slovenia & Malaysia in the 1/8 round
Men’s Team: 9th Place a Mixed Bag
In contrast, the men’s team finished 9th overall, with a combined score of 1996 points from Neeraj (670), Dhiraj (669), and Rahul (657). While inside the top 10, the position means they will face stronger opponents earlier in the knockout rounds compared to the women’s team.
The men have the potential to climb higher, but they will need sharper shooting in crucial matches, especially in the 10-ring, to compete with Korea, Japan, and Turkey, who have traditionally been formidable in the men’s events. Indian Men Team will be up against Denmark in the 1/12 round then if they win they go against France. We are in the same quarter as South Korea
Mixed Team: Balanced Effort, 7th Place
The mixed team pairing of Deepika (677) and Neeraj (670) combined for 1347 points, placing India 7th overall. While not among the very top seeds, this still ensures India will have a competitive draw in the mixed team eliminations. The mixed team event often comes down to rhythm and momentum, and with Deepika in strong form, India has the chance to surprise higher-ranked opponents if Neeraj can raise his consistency in match play. Mixed team Recurve event it will be Deepika & Neeraj who will be awaiting the winner of Japan & Kazakhstan
The qualification rounds at the Archery World Championships are often as much about positioning as performance. For India, these results paint a picture of promise, particularly in the women’s team and individual categories. Deepika’s 6th-place finish provides a solid anchor, while the women’s team’s 3rd-place standing gives them a realistic shot at medals. The men, while not as high in the standings, still have pathways to make an impact. Neeraj and Dhiraj’s mid-30s seedings mean they will likely face tougher opposition earlier, but both have the pedigree to upset higher seeds in matchplay.
The mixed team’s 7th seeding keeps India in contention, though they will need sharper execution in the elimination rounds to challenge powerhouses like Korea, China, and Mexico. As the eliminations begin, India will need to focus on maintaining composure under knockout pressure. In recurve archery, qualification scores provide the foundation, but it is in the head-to-head format that champions are made.
- For the women’s team, the task is to convert their 3rd-place qualification into a podium finish, a challenging goal.
- For the men, the priority will be to step up in execution and deliver strong collective performances to move past the Round of 16.
- For the mixed team, quick adaptation and strong rhythm will be key to overcoming higher-ranked opponents.
Much will depend on conditions, match nerves, and the ability to deliver consistently in the 10-ring, but India’s qualification results have given them a solid platform.
The Archery World Championships 2025 have begun with encouraging signs for India. Deepika Kumari’s 6th-place finish and the women’s team’s 3rd-place standing are the standout highlights, while the men’s squad and mixed team remain in contention despite lower seedings. For Indian archery, which has long sought consistency at the highest stage, these results represent both progress and promise. The road ahead in eliminations will test nerve and precision, but the Blue Tigers of archery have positioned themselves for a campaign that could deliver memorable results.
