India's Women Archers Clinch Maiden Asian Games Gold

The Cliff News | 2 October 2026

In a landmark achievement for Indian archery, the women's recurve team secured its maiden Asian Games gold medal on Friday, stunning 10-time Olympic champions South Korea with a 5-3 victory in a nail-biting final.

The trio of Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma, and Kumkum Mohod displayed remarkable composure and skill under windy conditions to overcome the formidable Korean side.

Historic Victory Against World Champions

The closely contested final saw both teams exchange blows in the opening sets. India and South Korea split the initial points, with scores of 54 and 56 respectively, indicating the tight competition ahead.

South Korea experienced a setback in the third set, with their team – comprising reigning world champion Kang Chaeyoung, Oh Yejin, and Lee Yunji – hitting three consecutive 8s, resulting in a score of 52.

India seized this opportunity, scoring 55 in the same set to take the lead and build momentum. The fourth set proved to be the decider, going down to the wire.

Sealing the Gold Medal

In the final set, Korea registered 54 points. Kirti Sharma's initial score of 8 was later reviewed and corrected to 9, bringing India's total to 54. This crucial tie secured the set and, more importantly, the gold medal for India.

This historic win marks a significant milestone for the Indian women's recurve archery program. The team had previously earned a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Path to the Final

Prior to their triumph, the Indian team had displayed strong form throughout the tournament. They secured their spot in the final by defeating China 5-1 in the semi-final, marking their first-ever appearance in an Asian Games title clash.

The team's performance underscores their dedication and growing prowess on the international stage, culminating in this significant gold medal victory.