New Delhi, April 29, 2024.
As the trio of Indian archers Tarundeep Rai, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Pravin Jadhav completed the 5-1 (57-57, 57-55, 55-53) win over the renowned South Koreans to claim the World Cup Stage I title in Shanghai, the Indians hugged each other and signalled a victory sign to the coaching contingent in the stands. Big names like Lee Wooseok, and two-time Olympic gold medallists Kim Je Deok and Kim Woojin had been taken down.
The win was India’s maiden win over archery powerhouse Korea in the men’s team event at world level. It also meant that an Indian men’s Recurve team emerged champions for the first time at any Archery World Cup since 2010, when Rai along with Rahul Banerjee and Jayanta Talukdar had defeated Japan in the final in Shanghai.