Jyothi Vennam & Parneet Kaur March into Semis as India Battles Highs and Lows at Archery World Cup Stage 4
The Archery World Cup Stage 4 in Madrid has already delivered drama, upsets, and moments of quiet triumph for India. While team events brought heartbreak, the women’s compound individual category has turned into a beacon of hope led by the inspired performances of Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Parneet Kaur, both of whom have stormed into the semifinals.
Both Indian archers now stand just one match away from a gold medal clash, potentially setting up a historic all-Indian final. But for that to happen, they’ll need to overcome formidable opponents from South Korea and Great Britain in the semifinals scheduled for July 12.
Parneet’s Run: Calm Nerves and Consistent Precision
Parneet Kaur, calm and focused, navigated a tricky draw with quiet authority. She started her campaign with a comfortable 143–136 win over Denmark’s Pil Munk Carlsen in the Round of 64, followed by a 143–138 victory against Sofia Paiz of Guatemala.
The real statement came in the Round of 16, where Parneet outclassed France’s Lea Girault with a commanding 148–139, showing her ability to keep the 10s coming under pressure.
But it was the quarterfinal that defined her resilience. Facing Paralympic and World Champion Oznur Girdi Cure of Turkey a para-athlete competing at the able-bodied World Cup Parneet held her nerve to edge out a nail-biting 142–141 win. Cure, who had stunned India’s Taniparthi Chikitha earlier, showed her class by nearly pulling off another upset. But Parneet stayed calm in the final arrows, sealing her place in the semis where she will face World No. 1 Ella Gibson of Great Britain.
Jyothi’s Journey: Steady and Clinical
For Jyothi Surekha Vennam, the World No. 3 and Asian Games champion, the journey to the semifinals showcased her trademark consistency. After defeating Singapore’s Ong Madeleine Xue Li 147–139 in the Round of 32, Jyothi beat Sweden’s Winsenne Jennifer 145–137 in the Round of 16.
The quarterfinal against Turkey’s Burun Hazal was her toughest challenge yet, but Jyothi produced a clinical 147–144 victory, demonstrating why she remains India’s top medal prospect in compound archery. Her semifinal now pits her against South Korea’s Han Seungyeon a clash that promises to be both tactical and high-scoring.
The semifinals are set for July 12: Jyothi faces Han at 5:35 PM IST, while Parneet meets Gibson at 5:47 PM IST. If both win, India will celebrate a historic all-Indian final.
Oznur Cure: A Para Champion’s Stunning Run
Among the biggest stories of the tournament was Oznur Cure’s remarkable run. The Turkish Paralympic and World Champion entered Stage 4 after early exits in the previous two World Cup stages, but her Madrid campaign was nothing short of inspiring.
Cure beat India’s Taniparthi Chikitha, who herself had shocked World No. 1 and multiple-time World Cup winner Andrea Becerra of Mexico in the Round of 32, to reach the quarterfinal. Cure eventually lost narrowly to Parneet, but her progress as a para-athlete competing alongside the world’s best able-bodied archers has been widely praised a testament to talent and determination transcending physical barriers.
Chikitha’s Upset: A Star in the Making
If there was a single moment that electrified Indian fans, it was 19-year-old Taniparthi Chikitha’s stunning win over Becerra. Chikitha edged the world’s top-ranked archer 143–142 in the Round of 32 a performance built on fearless shooting and mental clarity beyond her years.
Though Chikitha’s run ended in the next round against Cure, her fearless approach marked her as one to watch in future events.
Team Events: Missed Opportunities and Lessons
While the compound individual events provided reasons to cheer, the team competitions brought frustration for India.
In the women’s recurve team event, Ankita Bhakat, Deepika Kumari, and Gatha Chaudhary led France 3–1 after two sets. But a costly 8 and a rare 6 in the final set allowed France to claw back and win 5–3, ending India’s run in the pre-quarters.
The men’s recurve team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Rahul, and Neeraj Chopra lost 2–6 to Brazil in the pre-quarters. Despite a late fightback, the Brazilian team held their nerve to eliminate India.
India’s compound men also struggled in Madrid, with none making it past the Round of 16. The results highlight an area for reflection, particularly given India’s strong pedigree in compound team events.
The Road to Gold
As the dust settles, Indian hopes now rest on Jyothi and Parneet. Both have shown they belong at the highest level, blending precision and calm under pressure. The semifinals offer a chance not just for medals but for making history: if both reach the final, it will be the first all-Indian final in the compound women’s individual event at a World Cup.
Beyond medals, Madrid has reinforced India’s depth in women’s compound archery and hinted at emerging talent like Chikitha ready to challenge the world’s best.
A Tournament of Contrasts
The Archery World Cup Stage 4 has been a tournament of contrasts for India: heartbreak in team events, a shock upset over the world’s top-ranked archer, and two medal hopes in the women’s compound semifinals.
Jyothi and Parneet now carry the weight of a nation’s hopes, standing just a step away from gold. Whether they meet in the final or not, Madrid has already underlined India’s strength in women’s compound and offered a glimpse of even brighter days ahead.
