Asian Games: India Settle for Silver in Mixed Recurve Archery After Loss to China
India's Kumkum Mohod and Dhiraj Bommadevara secured silver in the mixed recurve archery event after a hard-fought battle against China.
In a high-stakes gold-medal showdown at the Asian Games 2026, India's mixed recurve archery duo, Kumkum Mohod and Dhiraj Bommadevara, claimed the silver medal after falling 3-5 to China's Zhu Jingyi and Li Mengqi in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the Indian pair could not overcome a massive deficit created during the opening sets of the final held on Friday.
A Rocky Start for India
The match began with China asserting immediate dominance. The Indian pair, who had previously dispatched Japan 5-3 in the semifinals, struggled significantly with their accuracy in the early stages. China took a commanding 2-0 lead after winning the first two sets.
In the opening set, China posted a score of 38-34. Zhu Jingyi's precision, including two perfect 10s, combined with Li Mengqi's contribution, left the Indian side trailing. The second set saw a similar pattern; while Dhiraj managed a 10 and a 9, Kumkum struggled to find her rhythm with two 8s. China secured the set 37-35, moving ahead 4-0 and putting India on the brink of an early exit.
The Fightback and Final Set Drama
Refusing to go down without a fight, India mounted a spirited response in the third set. Kumkum found her mark with a 10, and Dhiraj followed suit with a 10 and a 9, bringing India's total to 37. China, needing only 18 points from their final two arrows to clinch the gold, faltered when Li Mengqi hit a 7, allowing India to win the set 37-36 and stay alive at 2-4.
The fourth set became a nail-biting affair that went down to the very last arrow. India posted a strong 37, fueled by Kumkum’s 9 and 10 and Dhiraj’s two 9s. China required 19 points from their final two shots to secure the match. Zhu Jingyi hit a 9, and while Li Mengqi delivered a 10, it was only enough to tie the set at 37-37. This allowed the Chinese pair to clinch the gold medal with a 5-3 victory.
Olympic Qualification and Medal Tally
The loss carries significant implications beyond the podium, as China secured the automatic Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification quota tied to the mixed team event, leaving India to miss out on this specific pathway.
However, the silver medal adds to a spectacular day for Indian archery. Earlier in the day, the women's recurve team—comprising Kumkum Mohod, Ankita Bhakat, and Kirti Sharma—made history by defeating South Korea 5-3 to win gold, marking India's first-ever medal in this event at the Asian Games.
Key Highlights of India's Performance:
- Kumkum Mohod: The 17-year-old standout was instrumental in both the women's team gold and the mixed team silver.
- Overall Tally: India's 11th gold medal of the games has pushed the national tally to 68 medals (11 gold, 24 silver, and 33 bronze).
- Rankings: India currently sits seventh on the overall medal table.