In a stunning display of skill and determination, former world No. 1 Deepika Kumari has advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup Stage 1 after defeating Korean archer Jeon Hunyoung. Despite slipping to world No. 142 and qualifying as the 30th seed, Deepika showed her prowess by overcoming a 1-3 deficit to secure a 6-4 victory.
The three-time Olympian started off strong, despite losing the first set, and steadily improved her performance throughout the match. With her precision and focus, Deepika managed to drill in four 10s, including two Xs, to secure her spot in the semifinals.
Having recently embraced motherhood in December 2022, Deepika’s return to the sport has been nothing short of impressive. She clinched the Asia Cup gold in Baghdad earlier this year and is now on a mission to claim her first World Cup individual gold medal since 2021.
In the upcoming semifinal, Deepika will face off against Korean teenager Nam Suhyeon, setting the stage for an intense battle between the two talented archers. The other semifinal will feature Korean Lim Sihyeon and Li Jiaman of China.
Meanwhile, the Indian recurve mixed team of Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara narrowly missed out on a spot in the final, losing to the top-seeded Korean duo. They will now compete for the bronze medal against Mexico.
Despite some setbacks for other Indian archers, Deepika’s impressive performance has kept the hopes alive for a podium finish at the World Cup Stage 1. Archery fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the upcoming matches as Deepika continues her remarkable journey in the sport.