Okazaki: India won its first Asian Games gold medal in the women’s team recurve archery event on Friday, defeating South Korea 5 to 3 in a closely contested final at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture.
The Indian team of Ankita Bhakat, Kirti and Kumkum Anil Mohod held its nerve against South Korea to secure a historic victory and end Korea’s run of seven consecutive Asian Games gold medals in the event.
South Korea had won every women’s team recurve gold at the Asian Games since 1998 and was seeking an eighth consecutive title. India had never previously reached the final of the event.
The final was closely balanced from the opening set. India and South Korea scored 54 points each in the first set, giving both teams one set point.
The second set was also tied, with both teams scoring 56 points. The match was therefore level at 2 to 2 after two sets.
India then took control in the third set, scoring 55 points compared with South Korea’s 51. The Indian team won the set and moved ahead 4 to 2.
South Korea needed to win the fourth set to keep the match alive, while India needed only to tie the set to secure the gold medal.
The fourth set again ended level at 54 points each. A scoring review became an important moment after Kirti’s first arrow was initially given an eight. Officials reviewed the shot and awarded it a nine, giving India the points needed to finish the set on 54.
Kumkum also produced a crucial 10 with her final arrow. India matched South Korea’s score and secured the set point that gave the Indian team the gold medal.
India had reached the final after defeating China 5 to 1 in the semifinal. The victory over China was significant because it gave India its first appearance in the Asian Games women’s team recurve final.
South Korea’s team in the final consisted of Kang Chae young, Lee Yun ji and Oh Ye jin. The Korean team had entered the contest with a long record of success in the event, having won every women’s team recurve gold at the Asian Games since 1998.
India’s victory also follows a series of strong international performances in recurve archery during 2026.
India won the women’s recurve team title at the World Cup in Shanghai in May after defeating South Korea. Kumkum was part of the Indian team in that competition.
In June, Kumkum and Dhiraj Bommadevara also defeated South Korea in the recurve mixed team event at the World Cup in Antalya.
The final in Okazaki was contested in windy conditions, with both teams having to deal with gusty weather. The opening two sets were closely fought before India created the decisive advantage by winning the third set.
India then held its position in the fourth set and completed a historic victory over the defending Asian Games champions.
With the 5 to 3 victory, Ankita Bhakat, Kirti and Kumkum Mohod secured India’s first Asian Games gold in the women’s team recurve event and ended South Korea’s seven title winning run in the competition.