Indian archery witnessed one of its most memorable days at the Asian Archery Championships as three Indian women Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Sangeeta surged into the semifinals of the recurve individual event.
It is a rare moment in the history of this competition for a single nation to place three semifinalists in the same category, and India achieved it through a combination of composure, precision, and tactical excellence.
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This rise becomes even more significant when placed against the benchmark of the previous edition, where South Korea dominated the podium: Choi Mi-sun, Lim Si-hyeon, and China’s Li Jiaman were the medalists. The shift in competitive dynamics underscores the progress India’s recurve programme has made and on a day of pressure, the Indian trio stood tallest.
Deepika Kumari Leads the Charge With a Commanding Win
The resurgence of Deepika Kumari, one of India’s most decorated archers, has been one of the major storylines of this season. In Chengdu, she delivered one of her most complete knockout performances in recent years, defeating Korea’s Lee Gahyun 7–3 to book her place in the semifinals.
Deepika began her elimination run with complete assurance. After a first-round bye, she opened with a 7–3 win over Iran’s Mobina Fallah, followed by a controlled 6–2 victory over fellow Indian Anshika Kumari in the Round of 16. The quarterfinal against Lee Gahyun a Korean archer known for her consistency was expected to be a severe test. Instead, Deepika handled the match with maturity, winning crucial sets with high 10s and maintaining a calm rhythm throughout.
Her ability to settle into the shot cycle quickly and manage the shifting breeze proved decisive. What stood out most was the confidence in her release and the clarity of her shot selection. The 7–3 win was not merely a result but a statement: Deepika is once again performing like a big-stage archer capable of controlling matches from the front.
Ankita Bhakat Stuns Jang Minhee With a Sensational Comeback
The match of the day, however, belonged to Ankita Bhakat. Up against Korea’s Jang Minhee, a formidable opponent, Ankita trailed 0–4 after the first two sets. At that stage, most archers would struggle to claw back momentum against a Korean shooter known for her accuracy under pressure.
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She recalibrated her process, tightened the groupings, and began landing a string of 10s that forced the match into a shift of energy. Winning three consecutive sets, she turned 0–4 into a stunning 6–4 comeback, sealing one of the most impressive wins of her senior career.
Ankita opened her day strongly with a 7–1 win over Bangladesh’s Sima Akter Shimu, followed by a composed 7–3 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Li Tsai-Chi. Her quarterfinal, though, demanded a level of resilience that separates elite archers from good ones. The 6–4 result showcased her toughness, her ability to reset after early errors, and her rising maturity as a match player.
Her semifinal qualification keeps India in contention for multiple medals and adds to her growing profile as one of India’s most dependable recurve shooters in high-pressure knockout rounds.
Sangeeta’s Breakthrough Run Continues With a Dominant Win
India’s third semifinalist, Sangeeta, produced a commanding performance throughout her elimination rounds. After a bye in the opening stage, she picked up momentum instantly with a 6–0 win over Kazakhstan’s Samira Zhumagulova. In the Round of 16, she defeated Malaysia’s Ariana Nur Diana Mohamad Zairi 6–2 with controlled grouping and steady tempo. Her quarterfinal matchup came against Iran’s Reyhaneh Zare, a tricky opponent known for her fighting spirit. But Sangeeta maintained complete control, winning 7–1 with one of the cleanest scorelines of the day. Her shooting was marked by a calm draw, a steady anchor, and minimal fluctuations.
For an archer steadily rising through the Indian ranks, this semifinal appearance marks a breakthrough moment proof that she belongs among Asia’s best.
With three of the four semifinal spots now occupied by Indian archers, India is assured of at least one medal, and the possibility of a gold remains alive. This situation is unprecedented in recent Asian Championship history for India and reflects both depth and strategic growth in the women’s recurve setup.
The context of last edition’s medalists a field led entirely by Korea and China makes the achievement even more striking. South Korea remains the global powerhouse in recurve archery, yet India’s trio collectively overcame high-ranked Korean opponents to rewrite the competitive narrative. The semifinals will now determine how many medals India can convert from this dominant position. Potential all-Indian matchups mean India could see guaranteed podium finishes, but also that teammates will have to navigate the complexity of facing familiar practice-range rivals in a medal-pressure environment.
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Regardless of how the medal rounds unfold, the presence of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Sangeeta in the last four stands as a landmark moment for Indian archery a showcase of skill, resilience, and belief. On a day when Asian archery once again demanded its best from the athletes, India delivered its strongest collective performance yet.
