India Dethrones South Korea After 44 Years, Wins Historic Asian Games Recurve Gold

South Korea’s 44-year dominance in women’s recurve archery finally came to an end in Nagoya, and India’s Ankita Bhagat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod were the ones to rewrite the history books.

Few would have backed the Indian trio when the competition began. South Korea entered the event as world champions and had World No. 3 Kang Chaeyong in their line-up. Recurve has long been regarded as Korea’s stronghold, but Ankita, Kirti and Kumkum refused to be intimidated by the reputation of their opponents.

India defeated South Korea 5-3 in the final to claim a historic gold medal. Earlier, the Indian team had beaten China 5-1 in the semifinal, setting up a final against the defending champions.

The achievement is particularly significant given the contrasting journeys of the three archers.

Kumkum took up recurve archery only three years ago and began her career with a traditional bamboo bow. Kirti had once been told that she was too thin to handle a recurve bow, a discipline that demands considerable strength and control.

Ankita brought experience to the team. A veteran of the sport, she had already collected 23 international medals and was part of the Indian team that won bronze in Hangzhou. India had never previously reached the final of the women’s recurve team event at the Asian Games.

That history changed in Nagoya.

INDIA HOLD THEIR NERVE IN NAGOYA

The Indian trio remained composed despite difficult conditions during the competition, with the weather affecting scores. Backed by their teammates from the Indian archery contingent, Ankita, Kirti and Kumkum continued to trust one another.

China stood between India and a place in the final.

The Indian archers produced crucial shots whenever they were needed, with Kirti particularly impressive. She hit 10s with the final arrows of the first two sets to help India secure the points.

In the final set, India needed to level the contest, and Kirti once again delivered under pressure as the trio completed a 5-1 victory.

The final against South Korea was an entirely different challenge.

Kang Chaeyong, Lee and Yejin Oh immediately put India under pressure, but the Indian trio matched them shot for shot. Korea posted 54 and 56 in the first two sets, and India responded with identical scores to leave the contest tied at 2-2.

The third set proved crucial. South Korea struggled for consistency, hitting four 8s from six arrows. India remained steadier and produced a score of 55 to take the lead.

The fourth set went down to the wire. Korea finished with 54, leaving India needing the same score to tie the set and secure the gold.

Kirti initially registered an 8, but a review upgraded the shot to a 9. That took India to 54 and levelled the set, enough to confirm the Indian trio as Asian Games champions.

The victory marks a major moment for Indian recurve archery. While India’s compound archers have previously made headlines at the Asian Games, the women’s recurve team has now demonstrated that the country can overcome South Korea in a discipline the Koreans have dominated for decades.

Ankita, Kirti and Kumkum have delivered the breakthrough. Their historic gold now gives India’s men’s and mixed recurve teams a platform to build on in Nagoya.