Indian archers look for stronger show at Archery World Cup 2026 in Shanghai

Andhra Pradesh archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam and seasoned campaigner Deepika Kumar will lead the 16-member Indian team at the Archery World Cup 2026 Stage 2, which gets underway in Shanghai from Tuesday.

The second leg of the four-stage Archery World Cup circuit will see over 300 archers from 44 countries in action from May 5 to 10, with qualification spots for the World Cup Final in Saltillo at stake.

Jyothi Surekha wins 12th World Cup gold as India set record in compound archery

India managed just one archery medal at the season-opening Stage 1 in Puebla, Mexico, last month, where the women’s compound team of Asian Games champion Jyothi, Madhura Dhamangaonkar and Pragati clinched gold. The same 16-member squad will represent India in Shanghai, having been selected through national trials held in Kolkata in February.

Archers had done well last year

India will also draw confidence from its strong showing at this venue last year when they secured seven medals – including two gold. Madhura Dhamangaonkar was the standout performer then, winning individual gold and a mixed team bronze with Abhishek Verma, while the women’s compound team settled for silver.

Deepika Kumari will be targeting another podium finish to add to her impressive tally of 38 World Cup medals

The men’s compound team, which won gold in Shanghai last year, returns with a line-up featuring Kushal Dalal, former world champion Ojas Deotale, Sahil Jadhav and Abhishek Verma.

In the women’s recurve, Deepika Kumari will be targeting another podium finish to add to her impressive tally of 38 World Cup medals. A four-time Olympian, Deepika clinched an individual bronze in Shanghai last year.  India’s men’s recurve challenge includes Olympians Atanu Das and Tarundeep Rai.

Support systems for Indian athletes have improved significantly: Jyothi Surekha

The 2026 Archery World Cup Final, scheduled in September, will feature the individual champions (both recurve and compound) from each of the four World Cup stages.

India team:

Recurve men: Yashdeep Bhoge, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Atanu Das, Tarundeep Rai.

Recurve women: Ankita Bhakat, Simranjeet Kaur, Deepika Kumari, Kumkum Anil Mohod.

Compound men: Kushal Dalal, Ojas Deotale, Sahil Jadhav, Abhishek Verma.

Compound women: Pragati, Madhura Dhamangaonkar, Aditi Swami, Jyothi Surekha Vennam.