Deepika Kumari leads India's medal glory at Archery World Cup 2021

Atanu Das too secured an individual gold and a mixed team bronze while the women's recurve team won a gold medal

The Archery World Cup Stage 1 held in Guatemala City was one to remember for India, especially Deepika Kumari, as the Indian archers came away with three gold medals and a bronze, all in the recurve section, thereby leading all the competing teams in the event.

India registered 3 gold and 1 bronze during the Archery World Cup Stage 1. Thus, they finished top of the medal tally ahead of the likes of Mexico(2 gold, 3 silver,2 bronze) and the USA(2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze) .

Deepika Kumari creates history

Deepika Kumari won the gold medal in the individual Women’s Recurve Event to add to India’s medal tally. The archer hailing from Ranchi faced stiff competition but was solid in her effort. With her third individual gold, she became the Indian archer with the most medals at the World Cup

She faced Alejandra Valencia in the semifinals but prevailed over her by a score of 7-3 before having to work hard to triumph over Mackenzie Brown of the USA in the final. The tie went into a shoot-off in which Deepika prevailed.

Atanu Das shines

Atanu Das won the gold in Men’s Individual Recurve Event, getting the better of Debutant Daniel Castro from Spain by a score of 6-4. This is his maiden individual World cup Medal. He previously won two silver in Men’s team event and two bronze in Mixed Team Event.

https://twitter.com/worldarchery/status/1386471496550391815

Atanu, along with Ankita Bhakat, also claimed a Mixed Team Recurve bronze medal. They beat top-seeded Team USA in the process. They beat the Americans by a comprehensive score of 6-2 registering a 4th medal for the Indian archers in the process.

The ladies hit bullseye

Earlier Ankita Bhakat had won a gold medal for India when she teamed up with the experienced Deepika Kumari and Komalika Bari to clinch the top spot in the Women’s Team Recurve Event.

The trio overcame the more fancied Mexico by a score of 5-4, despite trailing 2-4 after the third set. The Indians clinched the fourth set before winning the shoot-off. Deepika Kumari hit a 10 with the final shot of the shoot-of leaving the Mexicans needing 9.

But the North American side only managed an 8 handing India top honours, while Ana Vazquez, Alejandra Valencia and Aida Roman had to settle for the silver medal.

The results also meant that Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari qualified for the World Cup Finals this year. Lausanne Switzerland will host the Stage 2 of the event. Meanwhile Stage 3 is going to take place in Paris in June. The final which is scheduled for September has no confirmed venue as of now.

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