Indian archery has once again announced itself on the world stage in Antalya, Turkey. At the third stage of the Archery World Cup, the pairing of Dheeraj Bommadevara and the rising teenager Kumkum Mohod captured the recurve mixed team gold. What made the triumph stand out was the opposition they overcame in the final — reigning Olympic champions South Korea, widely regarded as one of the strongest sides in the sport, were beaten in straight sets.
A 5-1 Win Over Korean Heavyweights
The 24-year-old Dheeraj, the experienced campaigner, and Kumkum, just 17, got the better of South Korea's Oh Ye Jin and Kim Je Deok by a 5-1 margin in the title clash. The set-by-set numbers underline how tight the contest really was — the first two sets went India's way 37-36, while the third was shared 39-39. Even under that kind of pressure, it was the composure and precision of the Indian duo that ultimately separated victory from defeat.
The Final Two Arrows That Sealed It
When it mattered most, experience told. Olympian Dheeraj struck a perfect 10 with each of his last two arrows, slamming the door shut and confirming the win. It was a display of remarkable nerve, given that a single lapse in such moments can undo an entire campaign.
A First World Cup Mixed Gold for Both
The achievement carries extra weight because, in the mixed team event, this is the very first World Cup gold of their careers for both Dheeraj and Kumkum. India's top-ranked archer Dheeraj is not done yet either — he now steps into the individual semifinal, chasing a second medal from this event.
Kumkum's Golden Run
For the teenager Kumkum, this is simply the latest chapter in a fast-growing list of honours. Only last month she was part of the Indian women's recurve team that struck gold at World Cup Stage Two in Shanghai. Stacking up medals on the biggest stages at such a young age is fast marking her out as the future of Indian archery.
A Familiar Address Called Antalya
There is a neat connection to the venue, too. India's previous recurve mixed team gold at a World Cup stage also came right here in Antalya. Back in 2022, Ridhi Phor and Tarundeep Rai edged Great Britain's Bryony Pitman and Alex Wise in a tense shoot-off to claim that medal. Now, in the same city, a new generation has carried that golden legacy forward.
