Central Florida is buzzing with the sound of arrows and cheers, and India’s Men’s Recurve Team is at the heart of it. At the Archery World Cup Stage 1, the Indian trio has shown grit, class, and consistency as they advanced into the final after a string of dominant 6-2 wins — first over Brazil, then Indonesia, and most recently, over Spain in the semifinal.
The trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Atanu Das, and Parth Salunkhe have looked in control all tournament, showing no signs of nerves as they brushed aside their opponents round after round. Their chemistry, composure under pressure, and precision shooting have been instrumental in booking their spot in the final, where they will face a strong Chinese team on April 13th at 8:10 PM IST.
Men’s Team – Rolling Through the Rounds
The Indian men’s team has been clinical:
- Round of 16 vs Brazil: A 6-2 win set the tone. India started strong and maintained their momentum with tight groupings and minimal errors.
- Quarterfinal vs Indonesia: Another 6-2 victory, marked by Dhiraj’s consistent 10s and Atanu’s composed anchoring.
- Semifinal vs Spain: This one showcased India’s ability to adapt under pressure. Spain fought hard, but the Indian trio raised their level, especially in the third and fourth sets to seal the deal.
This run to the final reflects a team that’s peaking at the right time, blending youthful energy with experience. Dhiraj’s rise continues to impress, Parth is maturing with every event, and Atanu, the veteran, is providing the calm the team needs.
Women’s Recurve Team – Early Exit, Learning Opportunity
While the men are thriving, it was heartbreak for the Indian Women’s Recurve Team as they crashed out in the quarterfinals, losing 2-6 to the USA. Despite glimpses of brilliance from Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Simranjeet Kaur, the consistency just wasn’t there.
What stood out — or rather, stood out as a concern — was the frequency of 7s on the scorecards, particularly in crucial moments. At this level, where a single arrow can swing a set, anything less than an 8 is costly. The Americans, in contrast, kept their grouping tight and rarely dipped below 9s, putting relentless pressure on the Indians.
There’s no doubt about the talent in the women’s squad. Deepika remains one of India’s most experienced and decorated archers, and Ankita has delivered on the world stage before. But moving forward, the team will need to tighten their execution — both technically and mentally — to be in medal contention.
Individual Battles Ahead
The knockout stages of the individual recurve events are also underway. In the round of 1/32:
- Parth Salunkhe is set to face Andres Temiño Mediel of Spain.
- Atanu Das will meet Maximilian Weckmueller from Germany.
- Dhiraj Bommadevara takes on Cameron Pickering of Bermuda.
- Tarundeep Rai, the veteran, will be tested by Berkay Akkoyun of Turkey.
On the women’s side:
- Ankita Bhakat faces Lam Ka Man from Hong Kong.
- Deepika Kumari takes on Brazil’s Ana Luiza Sliachticas.
- Anksha Kumari will shoot against Hong Kong’s Lai Cheuk Ting.
- Simranjeet Kaur has a tough draw against France’s Caroline Lopez.
These matchups promise high drama. With the team event almost wrapping up, attention now shifts to the individuals — and India will hope the momentum from the men’s team inspires a strong finish across the board.
What Lies Ahead
All eyes now turn to April 13, when India faces China in the men’s team final. The Chinese are known for their precision and depth, but this Indian trio is riding a wave of confidence. A gold medal here would be a perfect start to the 2025 World Cup season and a major boost as the cycle builds toward Los Angeles 2028.
Regardless of the result, the Indian archery contingent has shown plenty of promise. The men’s team is already among the world’s elite, and if the women’s team can iron out their consistency issues, India could be fielding one of the most balanced squads globally in the coming years.
The journey is far from over — but for now, India can celebrate a well-earned spot in the final.
