Former world number one archer Deepika Kumari has recently clinched the top spot in the selection trials held in Sonipat on Sunday. She has now set her goal to make it to the upcoming World Cups and the Paris Olympics. She recently returned to the competitive arena after a maternity break.
Deepika Kumari showcases outstanding performance
After a successful break, the three-time Olympian returned to show off her skills in the Baghdad Asia Cup in February, taking home two gold medals. She was selected for the four-person team together with Bhajan Kaur, Ankita Bhakat, and Komalika Bari, who took Simranjeet Kaur’s place due to her outstanding performance.
The 29-year-old won gold in the Baghdad leg of the Asia Cup after defeating Simranjeet in a hotly contested four-setter in her comeback event following a 20-month hiatus. The women’s archery squad from India has not yet been awarded a quota for the Olympics in Paris. The last chance to qualify for the Games in July and August is to compete in the third stage of the World Cup in Antalya, which is set for June 18–23.
Meanwhile, in the men’s recurve section, Dhiraj Bommadevara became the sole Indian archer to secure a quota for the Paris Olympics thus far. He emerged as the top performer in the selection trials. It is noted that he will be joined by Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, and Mrinal Chauhan in the men’s recurve squad, with Chauhan replacing Parth Salunkhe from the Asia Cup Leg 1 squad.
