Indian archer Deepika Kumari made a stunning comeback to the international stage, clinching the gold medal in the women’s individual recurve category at the Asia Cup 2024 archery stage-1 tournament held in Baghdad, Iraq. This marked Deepika’s first international competition since becoming a mother in December 2022, and her victory showcased her enduring talent and determination.
India’s Golden Sweep: 14 Medals at Asia Cup 2024
Deepika’s triumph was part of India’s outstanding performance at the Baghdad meet, where the contingent amassed a total of 14 medals, comprising nine gold, four silver, and one bronze.
All-Indian Final Glory: Deepika Kumari Outshines Simranjeet Kaur
In the women’s individual recurve event, Deepika defeated her compatriot Simranjeet Kaur 6-2 in an exciting all-Indian final, underscoring her exceptional skill and competitive spirit. This victory marked a remarkable return for Deepika, who had previously secured a gold medal at the National Games in Goa and topped the national selection trials in Kolkata.
Indian Dominance Across Categories: Recurve and Compound Success
Adding to India’s glory, Dhiraj Bommadevara emerged victorious in the men’s recurve archery category, triumphing over his senior compatriot and Olympian Tarundeep Rai with a score of 7-3. Both Dhiraj Bommadevara and Tarundeep Rai are from Army Sports Institute, Pune. Even Praveen Jadhav who is their teammate in the Gold-winning Men’s recurve team is also from Army Sports Institute, Pune.
India dominated across various categories, claiming top positions in both the men’s and women’s compound events. Notable victories included Parneet Kaur’s triumph in the women’s compound individual event and Prathamesh Jawkar’s gold in the men’s compound individual event.
Team Triumphs: Golds in Recurve and Compound Team Events
The Indian archery team showcased exceptional teamwork, with victories in team events as well. Notably, the women’s recurve team secured gold by defeating Uzbekistan in a tightly contested final, while the men’s recurve team comfortably outperformed Bangladesh to claim the top spot.
Mixed Team Brilliance: Simranjeet Kaur and Dhiraj Bommadevara Shine
In addition, mixed team events saw Indian archers Simranjeet Kaur and Dhiraj Bommadevara clinching gold with a flawless performance against their Bangladeshi counterparts.
The Asia Cup Baghdad archery meet featured both recurve and compound archery events and concluded with India’s resounding success on Sunday. The event not only highlighted India’s prowess in archery but also served as a platform for athletes to showcase their talent and resilience on the international stage.
