Indian recurve archers once again failed to make a mark at the World Archery Championships as the women's team lost to South Korea in the bronze medal playoff, while the mixed pair and men's individual hopes were also dashed on Wednesday.
Desperate to end a decade-long medal drought at the Worlds, the trio of Deepika Kumari, Gatha Khadake and Ankita Bhakat failed to seize the big moments against South Korea, going down 3-5. Even though the Koreans looked vulnerable with erratic shots, the Indians failed to capitalise on it and squandered a golden chance to turn a 3-3 deadlock into a bronze.
There was more heartbreak in the mixed event where Deepika and Neeraj Chauhan went down 4-5 (18-19) in a shoot-off to Japan's Nanami Asakuno and Yuki Kawata in the second round of 16.
With the men already out of the individual rounds and the compound squad having wrapped up their campaign earlier, the Indian recurve contingent will now be hoping to salvage some pride in the women’s individual section. All eyes would be on 31-year-old Deepika, who is making her World Championships comeback after motherhood, and rising 15-year-old debutant Gatha.
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