India’s medal hopes at the Archery World Cup Stage 4 in Madrid took a sharp turn on Thursday as both the recurve men’s and women’s teams were knocked out in the quarterfinals by the United States. But in the mixed team event, a new pairing offered a glimmer of hope.
Recurve teams fall to USA in straight sets
The men’s recurve team, comprising Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav, suffered a comprehensive 0-6 defeat to the American trio. The women’s team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Bhajan Kaur also lost 2-6 to the USA, ending their campaign without a medal.
Why these quarterfinal exits sting for Indian archery
India has traditionally been a powerhouse in recurve archery, especially in team events. These early exits in Madrid raise questions about consistency and preparation ahead of major championships. For archers like Deepika Kumari, a veteran with multiple World Cup medals, a quarterfinal loss is a significant setback.
How the mixed pair reached the bronze playoff
Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kirti Sharma, partnering for the first time, began their campaign with a confident 6-2 win over the Netherlands. They followed it with a hard-fought 5-3 victory against Japan. In the semifinal, they faced China and lost 3-5, but the result was enough to secure a spot in the bronze medal match.
What this means for Dhiraj and Kirti
For Dhiraj, this is a chance to add another World Cup medal to his tally after winning gold in Antalya last month with Kumkum Mohod. For Kirti Sharma, a bronze would be a breakthrough moment in her international career. The pair will now face Italy, a strong but beatable opponent.
Official response from the Archery Association of India
Officials from the Archery Association of India (AAI) expressed disappointment at the team exits but remained hopeful about the mixed pair’s chances. “The mixed pair has shown great chemistry in their first outing. We are confident they can bring home a medal,” a senior AAI official told PTI.
What went wrong in the team events?
Analysts point to a combination of factors: the USA team shot consistently high scores, while the Indian archers struggled with pressure in key moments. In the men’s event, the 0-6 scoreline indicates a complete dominance by the Americans. The women’s team, despite a closer 2-6 loss, could not convert early leads into set wins.
Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear
Confirmed: India’s recurve teams lost to USA in quarterfinals. The mixed pair of Dhiraj and Kirti will play Italy for bronze. The compound mixed pair lost in a shoot-off. Unclear: Whether the recurve teams will compete in any remaining events. The specific scores of each set in the team matches have not been fully detailed.
India’s compound section setback
In the compound section, the mixed pair of Prithika Pradeep and Sahil Jadhav lost a dramatic shoot-off to Mexico’s Miguel Becerra and Ximena Estrada. The match ended 153-153, but Mexico won 19-20 in the shoot-off. This adds to India’s mixed results in Madrid.
Risks and concerns for the bronze playoff
Italy is a formidable opponent in recurve mixed events. The pressure of a medal match, combined with the pair’s lack of prior experience together, could be a challenge. However, their strong performances against Netherlands and Japan suggest they have the ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Wider trend: India’s mixed results in World Cup stages
India’s performance in the 2025 Archery World Cup has been a mix of highs and lows. The gold in Antalya was a high point, but early exits in Shanghai and now Madrid show inconsistency. The recurve teams, in particular, have struggled to maintain momentum across multiple stages.
What Indian archery fans should watch for next
All eyes will be on the bronze playoff between India and Italy. A win would salvage some pride from an otherwise disappointing day. Beyond this event, the focus will shift to the World Cup Final and the Asian Games, where India will need to address these team event weaknesses.
Future outlook: Can India bounce back?
If Dhiraj and Kirti win bronze, it will provide a morale boost. But the recurve teams need to regroup quickly. With the World Championships approaching, the coaching staff will likely review strategies and team compositions. The talent is there, but consistency remains the missing piece.
Our Take
The quarterfinal exits are a reality check for Indian recurve archery. While individual brilliance has often shone through, team events require a different kind of synergy and mental fortitude. The mixed pair’s run shows promise, but it cannot mask the broader concerns. Indian archery needs to build deeper bench strength and better handle pressure in knockout stages. The bronze playoff against Italy is not just about a medal — it’s about restoring confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Indian recurve teams lose to the USA?
The USA teams shot consistently higher scores, while the Indian archers struggled with pressure in key moments. The men’s team lost 0-6, and the women’s team lost 2-6.
Who is in the Indian recurve mixed pair for the bronze playoff?
Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kirti Sharma are the pair. They are competing together for the first time at this World Cup stage.
When and where is the bronze playoff match?
The bronze playoff between India and Italy will take place at the Archery World Cup Stage 4 in Madrid. The exact time will be announced by World Archery.
What happened to the compound mixed pair from India?
The compound mixed pair of Prithika Pradeep and Sahil Jadhav lost to Mexico in a shoot-off (153-153, 19-20) and were eliminated.
