Asian Games: India stun 10-time champions Korea for first women's recurve archery team gold
Synopsis
India's women's recurve archery trio — Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod, and Kirti — did what no Indian women's team had done before: they beat South Korea in a final. The Koreans had not lost an Asian Games recurve team final since 1982. Seventeen-year-old Kumkum's clutch 10s across multiple decisive moments made the difference in a 5-3 upset for the ages.
Key Takeaways
India won their first-ever women's recurve archery team gold at the Asian Games on 2 October .
The team of Ankita Bhakat , Kumkum Mohod , and Kirti defeated South Korea 5-3 in the final.
South Korea had not lost an Asian Games women's recurve team final since the inaugural edition in 1982 .
India also beat China 5-1 in the semi-final — their first-ever appearance in the event's final.
India had previously won bronze in 2010 and 2022 after semi-final exits.
17-year-old Kumkum Mohod delivered clutch final arrows in multiple sets, including the title-sealing 10 .
India's women's recurve archery team of Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod, and Kirti scripted history at the Asian Games on Friday, 2 October, defeating 10-time champions South Korea by 5-3 to claim India's first-ever gold medal in the women's recurve team event. The victory, sealed at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square, ended a South Korean stranglehold on the final that had lasted since the inaugural edition in 1982.
A Historic First for Indian Archery
Friday's final was India's first-ever appearance in the Asian Games women's recurve team final, making the gold doubly significant. India had previously secured bronze medals in 2010 and 2022 after losing in the semi-finals on both occasions. To reach the final, India defeated China 5-1 in the semi-final — another commanding result against elite opposition.
How the Final Unfolded
The opening set was evenly matched, with both teams shooting 54-54 to share the points at 1-1. South Korea surged in the second set, opening with scores of 10, 9, and 9. India pushed back — Ankita hit a crucial 10 and 17-year-old Kumkum delivered a clutch 10 on the final arrow to level the set at 2-2.
The third set proved decisive. Korea stumbled with three consecutive 8s in their second round of shots, handing India a golden opening. Kumkum again rose to the occasion with a 10 on the final arrow to take the set and push India's lead to 4-2. With one set to clinch the title, India held steady in the fourth: Kirti shot 9, Ankita followed with another 9, and Kumkum sealed the triumph with a 10 — closing the contest at 5-3.
The Record That Was Broken
South Korea's women's recurve team had not lost a final at the Asian Games in over four decades — their only final defeat came at the very first edition in 1982. That record remained intact through every subsequent edition until Friday. India's victory ends one of the longest winning streaks in Asian Games archery history.
What This Means for Indian Archery
The result elevates India's standing in international recurve archery, a discipline historically dominated by South Korea and, to a lesser extent, China. The team's semifinal demolition of China and the final win over Korea signal a structural leap in Indian women's recurve performance. The teenage Kumkum Mohod, who delivered under pressure in multiple decisive moments across both matches, is certain to attract scrutiny from selectors ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cycle.
Point of View
Rooted in a national archery pipeline that is among the most rigorous in the world. India's victory, built on a teenager's nerves-of-steel performance under match pressure, suggests the gap has genuinely narrowed rather than Korea simply having an off day. The question now is whether Indian archery's support infrastructure — selection depth, coaching continuity, Olympic-cycle funding — can sustain this breakthrough or whether it remains an extraordinary one-off. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be the real measure.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has India ever won a women's recurve archery team gold at the Asian Games before?
No, this is India's first-ever gold in the women's recurve archery team event at the Asian Games. Prior to this, India had won bronze medals in 2010 and 2022 after losing in the semi-finals.
Who are the three archers in India's historic women's recurve team?
The team comprises Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod, and Kirti. Kumkum Mohod, aged 17, was particularly influential, hitting decisive 10s in multiple sets including the final arrow that sealed the gold.
When was the last time South Korea lost a women's recurve team final at the Asian Games?
South Korea had not lost a women's recurve team final at the Asian Games since the inaugural edition in 1982 — a streak spanning over four decades. India's 5-3 victory on 2 October ended that record.
How did India reach the women's recurve archery team final?
India defeated China 5-1 in the semi-final to advance to their first-ever Asian Games women's recurve team final. It was a dominant performance against one of Asia's top archery nations.
What is the significance of this win for Indian archery?
The victory marks a major leap for Indian women's recurve archery, which has historically been overshadowed by South Korea and China at the elite level. It also sets up a strong foundation heading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics selection cycle.
