Asian Games 2026India has won another gold medal in archery at the 2026 Asian Games, and this particular victory is truly historic. The Indian women's team clinched the gold medal by defeating South Korea in the final of the archery recurve event.
This marked the first time the Indian women's team had reached the final of this event, and they capped it off by winning the gold. The trio of Kumkum Mohod, Kirti, and Ankita Bhakat created history by stunning South Korea a team that has traditionally dominated this event.
Day 13 of the Games in Aichi-Nagoya brought spectacular success for India. It began with the semi-final, where the Indian team first defeated China. Team India dominated the match completely, securing a commanding 5-1 victory and booking a spot in the final.
This marked the first time the Indian team had reached the final of the women's recurve team event. India's previous best performance had come in 2010, when the team won the bronze medal.
A Tremendous Start, a Stunning Finish
However, the real challenge still lay ahead, as they had to face South Korea in the final. South Korea had won gold in this event at the last seven consecutive Asian Games and had been crowned champions in the women's recurve category ten times in total.
Yet, right from the first set, India gave South Korea a tough fight, with the scores tied in both opening sets. Consequently, the match was level at 1-1 after two sets. The tide turned in the third set, however, where India won 55-51 to take a 4-2 lead in the final.
India needed just one point in the final set, and that is exactly what happened. The final set ended in a 54-54 draw, securing India a 5-3 match victory and the gold medal. This marks India's first-ever gold medal in archery at the Asian Games.
Previously, India had won two silver medals in the men's recurve category. However, the women's team not only reached the final for the first time but also won it, creating history. This medal holds special significance for the team's experienced archer, Ankita, as she was also part of the squad that won the bronze medal at the 2022 Games.
South Korea Defeated After 32 Years
For South Korea, this defeat comes as a massive shock, given their dominance in the recurve event—spanning not just the Asian Games but the Olympics as well. In the Asian Games, the last time they had suffered a defeat in the women's recurve team event was back in 1994.
From 1998 to 2022, they had consistently won the gold medal. This victory has also raised hopes for a strong performance by India at the 2028 Olympic Games.
