The Indian archer Deepika Kumari has emerged as the top performer in the selection trials for women’s recurve archery, securing her spot in the Indian team for the Archery World Cups and the 2024 Paris Olympics. The selection trials, which included 16 archers in both the recurve and compound archery events, were conducted to shortlist the Indian team and identify the provisional squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Deepika’s impressive performance in these trials is a testimony to her dedication and skill in the sport.
Deepika’s successful comeback from a maternity break earlier this year has been nothing short of remarkable. She finished ahead of Bhajan Kaur and Ankita Bhakat, who were bronze medalists in the Asian Games last year. Komalika Bari has also secured her place in the World Cup squad. With her exceptional talent and determination, Deepika has proven herself as one of the top archers in the world.
The Archery World Cup, a prestigious international competition, will be held in multiple stages. The first stage is scheduled to take place in Shangai from April 23 to 28, while the second leg will be hosted by South Korea from May 21 to 26. These events will serve as a platform for Deepika and the Indian team to showcase their skills and compete against some of the best archers from around the world.
It is important to note that the Indian contingent for the Archery World Cup also doubles up as the provisional squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This means that the archers who perform well in the World Cup stages will have a higher chance of representing India in the forthcoming Olympic Games. Deepika’s consistent excellence and success in the selection trials have positioned her as a strong contender for the Paris Olympics.
Deepika previously topped the first selection trials in Kolkata earlier this year, which paved the way for her participation in the Asia Cup Baghdad stage one. In her first international event since becoming a mother in 2022, Deepika displayed her prowess by winning gold medals in both the individual and team events at the Asia Cup in Baghdad. Her exceptional performance in these competitions showcased her ability to excel under pressure and against tough competition.
In addition to Deepika’s remarkable achievement, Dhiraj Bommadevara, who currently holds the only archery Paris 2024 quota for India, emerged as the top performer in the men’s recurve competition. The men’s squad also includes experienced archers like Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, and Mrinal Chauhan.
The compound archery category, which is not part of the Olympics, saw Aditi Swami, Jyoti Surekha Vennam, and Abhishek Verma secure their places in the Indian squad. These talented archers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage and bring glory to the nation.
The Indian squad for the Archery World Cup stages 1 and 2 consists of:
Men’s compound: Prathamesh Fuge, Abhishek Verma, Rajat Chauhan, Priyansh
Women’s compound: Jyoti Surekha Vennam, Aditi Gopichand Swami, Parneet Kaur, Parneet Kaur
Men’s recurve: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, Mrinal Chauhan
Women’s recurve: Deepika Kumari, Bhajan Kaur, Ankita Bhakat, Komalika Bari.
With their talent and determination, these archers are well-equipped to bring glory to the nation in the upcoming Archery World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their performances in these events will not only showcase their skills but also inspire aspiring young archers in India.
