The Indian archery contingent has returned empty-handed from the Archery World Cup 2025 Stage 3 held in Antalya, Turkiye, marking a significant setback after a promising start to the season. The 16-member squad, which included seasoned campaigners and rising stars, failed to secure any medals in both recurve and compound events. This disappointing performance raises concerns about the team's consistency and ability to perform under pressure as they prepare for upcoming major international competitions.
In the recurve events, India's top-ranked archers struggled to make an impact. Dhiraj Bommadevara, who was the highest-ranked Indian in the qualification round at 13th, succumbed to pressure and lost his second-round match against Chinese Taipei's Tang Chih-Chun. Veteran archer Atanu Das also faced an early exit, losing to USA's Brady Ellison. The men's recurve team, consisting of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Atanu Das, and Parth Salunkhe, was defeated by France in the third-place playoff, further highlighting the team's inability to capitalize on crucial moments. Even four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari, despite her experience, was ousted in the second round by none other than the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, An San of South Korea. Simranjeet Kaur showed promise, reaching the quarter-finals, but ultimately fell short against the same formidable opponent.
The compound archers, who had previously shown great form, also had a lackluster showing in Antalya. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, the reigning Asian Games champion, was eliminated in the second round. Madhura Dhamangaonkar, who had secured a gold medal in the previous stage in Shanghai, lost in the quarter-finals. Reigning women's world champion Aditi Swami also faced a similar fate, losing her quarter-final match. The compound women's team lost a close bronze medal match to the US team by a single point, underscoring the narrow margins and intense competition at this level.
This poor performance in Antalya stands in stark contrast to India's success in the earlier stages of the Archery World Cup 2025. In Shanghai, the Indian contingent secured seven medals, including two golds, one silver, and four bronze. The men's compound team clinched a gold medal, while the women's team secured a silver. The mixed team also contributed with a bronze medal. Deepika Kumari's return to form was another highlight, as she secured her 18th World Cup medal. In the first stage held in Auburndale, Florida, India won four medals.
Several factors could have contributed to India's disappointing performance in Antalya. Increased competition, pressure to maintain their earlier success, or even variations in weather conditions could have played a role. It's crucial for the coaching staff and team management to analyze these factors and address any underlying issues before the next major tournaments. The fourth and final stage of the Archery World Cup 2025 will be held in Madrid in July, followed by the Archery World Cup Final in Nanjing, People's Republic of China, in October. The team needs to regroup and work on their consistency and mental fortitude to bounce back and finish the season on a high note.
