India’s premier recurve archer Deepika Kumari narrowly missed out on gold at the World Cup Final in Mexico City, settling for a silver medal after a 0-6 defeat to China’s Li Jiaman.
Returning to the prestigious event after a three-year hiatus following the birth of her daughter, Deepika showcased her resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Seeded third, she cruised through the semifinals with a 6-4 victory over home favorite Alejandra Valencia of Mexico.
However, the pressure of the gold medal match seemed to weigh heavily on Deepika as she faced Li Jiaman, a team silver medalist from the Paris Olympics. The Chinese archer displayed impeccable form, winning the first set by a single point (26-27) and the second set with a commanding 30-28 score.
The third set proved decisive as Deepika’s second arrow landed in the red 7-ring, allowing Li to claim victory with three solid 9s. The Chinese archer sealed the gold on her debut World Cup Final appearance, while Deepika added another silver to her impressive medal collection.
In the men’s recurve section, Dhiraj Bommadevara’s hopes of a medal were dashed in the opening round. Despite leading 4-2 against South Korea’s Lee Woo Seok, a Paris Olympics bronze medalist, Dhiraj faltered under pressure and eventually lost 4-6.
The Indian contingent also failed to make an impact in the compound category, with Prathamesh Fuge finishing fourth after a tense semifinal loss. Priyansh and Jyothi Surekha Vennam failed to reach the medal rounds.
Despite the disappointing results, Deepika Kumari’s performance at the World Cup Final is a testament to her unwavering spirit and determination. She remains one of India’s most decorated archers and will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.
