India is witnessing a resurgence in recurve archery, and it’s being led by two of the country’s finest — Deepika Kumari and Parth Salunkhe.
At the Archery World Cup Shanghai Stage 2, both archers have powered their way into the semifinals of the individual recurve events, scripting inspiring stories along the way.
Their journey to the last four is not just a testament to their form but also to the depth and promise in Indian archery ahead of key international competitions.
Parth Salunkhe – The Warrior on the Rise
Only 21, Parth Salunkhe has emerged as India’s breakout star of this World Cup. His performance in Shanghai has been nothing short of sensational. In the Round of 64, he stunned the Tokyo Olympic Champion Mete Gazoz of Turkey in a nail-biting shoot-off, clinching the match 6-5. That victory set the tone for what has become a remarkable campaign.
He followed it up with another 6-5 thriller over Tetsuya Aoshima of Japan in the Round of 32, showing remarkable poise under pressure. In the Round of 16, Parth raised his level, defeating Australia’s Ryan Tyack 6-2 with clinical precision.
But it was the quarterfinal showdown against Kim Je Deok — the 3-time Olympic gold medalist (team events) from South Korea — that truly announced his arrival on the world stage.
Salunkhe didn’t just edge past him; he dominated with a 6-2 win, stunning the Korean powerhouse and booking his place in the semifinals.
Parth’s semifinal will take place on May 11 at 12:43 PM IST, where he will once again face Kim Je Deok, this time in a rematch with even higher stakes. The Indian archer has already proven he can beat the best, and another win could see him reach his first-ever World Cup final.
Deepika Kumari – Vintage Class and Steely Resolve
On the women’s side, it’s the familiar and formidable Deepika Kumari leading the charge. Making a strong comeback to the international circuit, Deepika has demonstrated experience and control throughout the Shanghai event.
She opened her campaign with a 6-4 win over Romero Lucia of Spain in the Round of 64, followed by a flawless 6-0 rout of Diana Tursunbek from Kazakhstan. In the Round of 16, Deepika defeated Victoria Sebastian of France 6-4, setting up a high-profile quarterfinal clash against Li Jiaman, the reigning Olympic team champion from China.
In front of a home crowd, Deepika displayed nerves of steel and shot consistently to win 6-2, eliminating Li and sealing her spot in the semifinals.
Her next challenge comes in the form of Lim Sihyeon of South Korea, scheduled for May 11 at 11:35 AM IST. The Korean archers have historically dominated recurve archery, but Deepika, a veteran of multiple World Cups and Olympic Games, is no stranger to high-pressure matches.
A win would take her into the final, reviving hopes of a major international title after a long gap.
Mixed Results in Team Events
While individual performances have been stellar, India’s fortunes in team events have been mixed. The Compound Mixed Team of Abhishek Verma and Madhura Dhamangaonkar delivered a solid performance to reach the semifinals, where they narrowly lost 156-158 to Great Britain’s Ella Gibson and Ajay Scott.
They will now face Malaysia in the bronze medal match, aiming to bring home India’s first team medal from this leg of the World Cup.
In contrast, the Recurve Mixed Team comprising Dhiraj Bommadevara and Deepika Kumari had a disappointing run, bowing out in the Pre-Quarterfinals with a 1-5 loss to Spain. It was a setback, but individual brilliance from Deepika has more than made up for that.
A Defining Moment for Indian Archery
The progression of both Parth Salunkhe and Deepika Kumari into the semifinals marks a significant moment for Indian recurve archery. For Deepika, it is a statement of her continued relevance and hunger in a sport she has dominated nationally for over a decade.
For Parth, it’s the beginning of what could be a long and illustrious career on the world stage.
What makes these achievements even more remarkable is the quality of their opponents. Both Indian archers have taken down Olympic gold medalists to reach the final four, demonstrating that they belong at the elite level.
As they gear up for their respective semifinal matches against South Korea’s best, all eyes will be on the Indian duo. A place in the final will not just mean a shot at gold, but also send a strong message ahead of future international tournaments — including the World Championships and the path to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
For now, though, Indian fans can celebrate the resurgence, the fight, and the spirit shown by Parth and Deepika in Shanghai.
