Gwangju, South Korea — Sep 5 (PTI) As seasoned archer Deepika Kumari approaches the twilight of her career, she will once again strive for an elusive World Championship medal. India is set to showcase its promising next generation, led by the talented 15-year-old Gatha Khadake, at the prestigious tournament starting this Saturday.
Pune’s own Gatha Khadake has emerged as the breakout star in Indian archery this year. Making headlines at the national trials in June, she scored an impressive 686 points — the highest recurve qualification score across genders — thereby securing her position in the senior team.
With Gatha's inclusion alongside seasoned competitors Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat, the stage is set for a compelling mix of past and future talent competing shoulder to shoulder.
Though 16-year-old Sharvari Shende, who recently won the U-18 world championship, impressed at the trials, only the top three clinched spots for Gwangju. Deepika, topping the trials, was accompanied by Ankita and Gatha to form India’s three-member recurve women’s squad.
Despite making her senior debut at the Madrid World Cup in July, Sharvari didn't make the cut, but she remains one of India’s brightest prospects.
Gatha debuted in Madrid as well, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals after an upset victory over Chinese Taipei Olympian and World Cup medallist Chiu Yi-Ching. Her last-16 finish stood out as the best among Indian women, even outpacing both Deepika and Ankita.
Sharvari, meanwhile, claimed the Under-18 world title in Winnipeg, defeating two formidable Koreans on her way to gold, thus joining Deepika and Komalika Bari as one of India’s only junior world champions.
For the 31-year-old Deepika, now in the post-motherhood phase of her career, the World Championship offers yet another shot at that one elusive medal missing from her collection, along with the Olympic honor.
Since her World Championship debut in 2011, the most decorated Indian archer has only managed to clinch team silvers in 2011 and 2015, lacking an individual medal to her name.
This marks her sixth participation at the World Championships, her first since 2019, and she’s acutely aware that time is running out.
In the short span of Gatha’s emergence, she's developed a budding rivalry with Deepika. At the National Games in Uttarakhand earlier this year, a semi-final shoot-off clash between them led to some heated exchanges, with Deepika narrowly edging out Gatha 10-8 in the shoot-off.
Later, at the June trials, Gatha outscored Deepika in the qualification round, although Deepika managed a comeback win in the elimination matches.
"Gatha has been playing well, and I wish her all the best for the future as we look forward to the World Championships," said Deepika, dismissing suggestions of rivalry. Despite an early exit in Madrid, Gatha showed her promise by progressing further than her veteran teammate.
Ankita Bhakat, the third member of the squad, competed at the Berlin World Championships two years ago, exiting in the first round.
The challenge for the Indian contingent will be significant, with opponents like powerhouse South Korea, led by Tokyo Olympic champion An San and world number one Lim Sihyeon. The Koreans are the overwhelming favorites in the women’s recurve, and it remains to be seen if the Indians can surpass the Korean hurdle should their paths cross.
In the men’s recurve team, Army man Dhiraj Bommadevara will lead India’s charge alongside teammates Neeraj Chauhan and Rahul.
Once considered India’s brightest Olympic prospect, Dhiraj has struggled post-Asian Games and Paris Olympics. However, Gwangju presents an opportunity for redemption.
The men’s team aims to emulate the silver-medal finish achieved in Den Bosch 2019, India’s last recurve archery podium finish.
India’s major success in past World Championships has been in the compound section. Last edition saw Ojas Deotale and Aditi Swami making history as they clinched men’s and women’s individual titles, though this time neither qualified, leaving the current crop to rise to the challenge.
Prathamesh Fuge, Aman Saini, and Rishabh Yadav will spearhead the charge in the men’s compound, while seasoned archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam, in search of a world gold, anchors the women’s team in her seventh outing.
Vennam boasts three world medals — a silver in Yankton 2021 and bronze in Den Bosch 2019 and Berlin 2023. She will be supported by Parneet Kaur and promising youngster Prithika Pradeep.
Indian Team:
Recurve Men: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Neeraj Chauhan, Rahul.
Recurve Women: Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, Gatha Khadake.
Compound Men: Prathamesh Fuge, Aman Saini, Rishabh Yadav.
Compound Women: Parneet Kaur, Prithika Pradeep, Jyothi Surekha Vennam.