Deepika Kumari secures top spot in selection trials for World Cup

Former world number one archer Deepika Kumari, who returned to the competitive arena at the National Games in 2023 after a maternity break, clinched the top spot in the selection trials for the upcoming World Cup, which will serve as a qualifying event for the Paris Olympics, held in Sonipat on Sunday.

The three-time Olympian showcased her skill by securing two gold medals at the Baghdad Asia Cup in February, marking a triumphant comeback after her hiatus. Her stellar performance earned her a spot in the four-member squad alongside Bhajan Kaur, Ankita Bhakat, and Komalika Bari, with Bari replacing Simranjeet Kaur.

In her comeback event after a 20-month break, the 29-year-old triumphed over Simranjeet in a closely contested four-setter to claim gold at the Baghdad leg of the Asia Cup in February.

India's women's archery team is yet to secure a quota place for the Paris Olympics, with the third stage of the World Cup in Antalya scheduled from June 18-23, serving as the final qualifying opportunity before the Games in July-August.

In the men's recurve section, Dhiraj Bommadevara, the sole Indian archer to secure a quota for the Paris Olympics thus far, emerged as the top performer in the selection trials. He will be joined by Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, and Mrinal Chauhan in the men's recurve squad, with Chauhan replacing Parth Salunkhe from the Asia Cup Leg 1 squad.

A team consists of three members for the Olympics, and it remains to be seen if India can qualify as a team for the Paris Games.

The season-opening first stage of the World Cup is slated in Shanghai from April 21-28. Yecheon in South Korea will host the second stage of the World Cup from May 21-26.

Indian squad for the Archery World Cup:

Recurve Men: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, and Mrinal Chauhan.

Recurve Women: Deepika Kumari, Bhajan Kaur, Ankita Bhakat, and Komalika Bari.

Compound Men: Prathamesh Fuge, Abhishek Verma, Rajat Chauhan, and Priyansh.

Compound Women: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, Parneet Kaur, and Avneet Kaur.