Kumud Saini Shines at Asia Cup Archery 2024: Won Gold Medal

The Archery Asia Cup 2024 Stage 3, held in Suwon, South Korea, from June 4 to 9, witnessed a stellar performance from the Indian archery contingent. With a haul of five medals, including a gold in the individual women's compound event, India's archers demonstrated their prowess on the international stage. Let's delve into the highlights of this event, focusing on the golden performance of 17-year-old Kumud Saini, the team's success, and the broader context of the Archery Asia Cup.

Kumud Saini: India's Golden Girl

The standout performer for India was undoubtedly Kumud Saini, who clinched the gold medal in the individual women's compound event. Her journey to the top of the podium was nothing short of impressive. Starting with a bye in the first round, Saini showcased her skill by defeating Fatimah Saad Almashhadani of Iraq 146-141 in the second round.

Her quarterfinal match against Singapore's Loh Tze Chieh Contessa saw Saini dominate with a 147-142 victory. The semi-final was no less challenging, as she faced home favorite Cho Yoojoo of South Korea. Saini's precise shooting earned her a 142-137 win, setting the stage for a gold medal showdown.

In the final, Saini faced another South Korean archer, Park Yerin. Despite the pressure of competing against a local favorite, Saini held her nerve. She took an early lead, scoring 28 points to Park's 26 in the first round. Although Park tried to close the gap in the third round, Saini remained decisive in the final two rounds, clinching the gold with a score of 143-140.

This victory was not just India's first individual medal at the Suwon event but also Saini's third medal overall. She had earlier contributed to India's silver medals in the women's and mixed compound team events, making her the most successful Indian archer at this stage of the Asia Cup.

Team Triumphs: Silver and Bronze for India

While Saini's individual gold was the highlight, India's team performances were equally commendable. The women's compound team, comprising Saini, Maya Bishnoi, and Tejal Rajendra Salve, secured a silver medal. This achievement underscores the depth of talent in India's compound archery setup.

The mixed compound team, featuring Saini and Manav Jadhao, also bagged a silver medal. Their performance highlights the importance of synergy and understanding between archers in team events.

In the men's category, the compound team of Manav Jadhao, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, and Kushal Dalal won a bronze medal. This result is particularly encouraging, given that some of India's top compound archers, including Abhishek Verma, were not part of the Suwon contingent.

The women's recurve team, consisting of Bhargaviben Bhagora, Basanti Mahato, and Sharvari Somnath Shende, also secured a bronze medal. This achievement is noteworthy, especially in the absence of three-time Olympian Deepika Kumari, who chose to skip this event.

Archery Asia Cup 2024: A Platform for Asian Archery

The Archery Asia Cup is a prestigious event that provides a platform for archers from across Asia to compete at the highest level. The 2024 edition comprises multiple stages, with Suwon hosting Stage 3 from June 4 to 9. This event saw participation from 158 archers representing 18 Asian countries, underscoring its significance in the region's archery calendar.

Stage 1 of the Asia Cup was held in Baghdad, Iraq, in February, where India put up a dominant performance, winning 14 medals - nine gold, four silver, and one bronze. The scheduled Stage 2 in Bangkok, Thailand, was unfortunately cancelled.

India's decision to send a 16-member team (eight men and eight women) to Suwon, despite some top archers opting out, reflects the depth of talent in Indian archery. Besides Deepika Kumari, other notable absentees included compound archers Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Aditi Swami, both of whom had won gold medals in Baghdad.

Despite these absences, the Indian team's performance in Suwon - one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals - is commendable. It highlights the rising standards of Indian archery and the success of grassroots development programs.

In conclusion, the Archery Asia Cup 2024 Stage 3 in Suwon was a triumph for Indian archery. Kumud Saini's golden performance, coupled with the team's silver and bronze medals, underscores India's growing stature in the sport. As the archery world looks forward to the remaining stages of the Asia Cup and beyond, India's archers, led by young talents like Saini, are poised to make their mark on the global stage. Their success in Suwon is not just a celebration of medals won, but a testament to the dedication, skill, and resilience of India's archers and the bright future that lies ahead for Indian archery.