As the fourth and final stage of the World Cup kicks off in Madrid on July 7, 2026,
New Leadership Amidst Challenges
Dave Cousins, a highly decorated figure in the world of compound archery, takes the helm of the Indian team just three months before the Asian Games. His appointment follows the departure of Italian coach Sergio Pagni, who led the team through a golden era, securing five gold medals along with a silver and bronze at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou. However, since Pagni's exit, the Indian compound archers have struggled, managing only one gold and a bronze from three World Cup stages this season, with their performance hitting a low point in Antalya, where they left without any medals.
The decline in results is stark compared to the previous year, where the team had amassed seven golds, one silver, and four bronzes across four World Cup events. The absence of key athletes, including reigning Asian Games champion Ojas Deotale and world champion Aditi Swami, has further complicated the situation. The Archery Association of India, after attempts to rehire Pagni, has placed its trust in Cousins, who has a vision for the future, including preparations for the Los Angeles Games, where compound archery will debut in the mixed team event.
Recurve Archers on the Rise
In contrast to the compound team's struggles, India's recurve archers are entering the Madrid competition with renewed confidence. Dhiraj Bommadevara, who recently claimed his first individual World Cup gold by defeating Olympic bronze medalist Lee Woo-seok of Korea, leads the men's team. Despite personal challenges, including the loss of a cousin, Bommadevara is poised to spearhead the Indian challenge alongside teammates Neeraj Chauhan and Yashdeep Bhoge, with veteran Atanu Das also participating.
The women's recurve team, led by Ankita Bhakat, is gradually finding its footing. After a successful outing in Shanghai, where they secured gold with Deepika Kumari, the team faced difficulties in Antalya, exiting in the quarterfinals against Turkey. With Kumari not part of the Asian Games squad and only competing individually in Madrid, Ankita now carries the responsibility of guiding a younger team, which includes Kumkum Mohod and Kirti Sharma, as they aim to regain their competitive edge.
