India Women’s Recurve Archery Team Wins Maiden Asian Games Gold

India made history in the 19th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by winning its first ever gold medal in the women’s recurve archery team category when it beat South Korea 5-3 in the gold medal final. Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod did well against the Korean combination of Kang Chaeyoung, Oh Yejin and Lee Yunji. This was after India claimed a bronze medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games in the women’s recurve archery team category.

India 5, South Korea 3 in Finals

The match saw very tough competition between the two sides, with the scores remaining equal for the first two sets.

Both India and South Korea were tied at 54 and 56 points respectively in the initial two sets. The third set turned the game around owing to the trouble that South Korea faced in their shooting.

South Korea managed to shoot three consecutive arrows in an 8, with 52 being their total in the set. India seized the moment and shot for 55 to win the set.

India and South Korea found themselves neck and neck once again during the fourth set. India scored 54, with South Korea recording the same points. However, it turned out that Kirti Sharma had hit an 8 with her first arrow. This score was corrected to 9 and India won the game.

Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Anil Mohod Lead India

The Indian team included Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Anil Mohod.

As per World Archery, Bhakat and Mohod were among India’s 2026 Asian Games team members as recurve archers. Kirti got selected after she finished first in the women’s recurve trials held before the games.

Ranking lower than 100th in the world at that time, Kirti delivered a commendable performance to get through the trials and enter the Asian Games squad. Mohod has earlier helped India win gold as a member of India’s successful recurve women’s team at the 2026 Shanghai Hyundai Archery World Cup.

South Korean Recurve Archers’ Strong Line-up

South Korea selected Kang Chaeyoung, Oh Yejin and Lee Yunji for the finals.

Kang had won the title of World Champion at the beginning of the competition, whereas Oh had been the winner of youth World Championship and Asia Cup before. Also, Lee had become the member of Korean women’s recurve team, which was chosen to compete in the Asian Games in 2026.

South Korea has a rich tradition in Olympics’ recurve archery competitions.

India Advances to Gold-Medal Match With Win Against China

India booked its berth for the gold-medal match following its 5-1 win against China in the semifinal game.

This was the first time that India qualified for the Asian Games women’s recurve team final match. Afterward, India managed to clinch the gold medal following a win against South Korea in the gold medal match with a score of 5-3.

In the previous games held in 2023 in Hangzhou, India emerged the bronze medalist in the women’s recurve team competition.