India's recurve campaign at the Archery World Cup Stage 4 in Madrid ended without a medal, despite two podium chances on the final weekend.
Kirti, who had fought her way into the women's individual bronze play-off, came up against Korea's Oh Yejin and went down 1–7. Earlier, Kirti and Dhiraj Bommadevara had also reached the recurve mixed-team bronze match, where Italy edged the Indian pair 5–3.
The rest of the recurve draw was a story of near-misses. Bommadevara was India's deepest run in the men's individual event, reaching the quarter-finals, while Neeraj Chauhan bowed out in the pre-quarters, Atanu Das in the third round, and debutant-season archer Yashdeep Bhoge in his opening match. In the women's event, Deepika Kumari exited in the second round, with Ankita Bhakat and Kumkum Mohod both stopping at the pre-quarterfinal stage.
The result is a disappointing close to the recurve season's fourth stage, though the week was not empty-handed for India overall — the women's compound team took silver in Madrid a day earlier.
For Punjab's young recurve archers watching the national programme, the message from Madrid is clear: the margins at world level remain a set point here and there. The association will carry these lessons into the coming state coaching camps.
Source & further reading: The Bridge — Archery World Cup Stage 4: Indian recurve team returns medalless as Kirti misses bronze (12 July 2026).
