Seasoned archers Deepika Kumari and V. Jyothi Surekha will ride on their wealth of experience to lead a pack of Indians, including greenhorns and old hands, at the World archery championships starting in Gwangju, Korea, on Saturday (September 6, 2025).

Because of their better track record, Indian compound archers inspire more confidence than their recurve counterparts. India had bagged three gold medals, including men’s and women’s individual crowns and the women’s team title, and a bronze in compound in the previous edition in Berlin two years ago to finish atop the medals tally.

Individual defending champions Aditi Swami and Ojas Deotale missed out this time due to their wobbling form and stiff domestic competition.

An in-form Jyothi and Parneet Kaur, who were part of the gold-winning team with Aditi in Berlin, along with World youth silver medallist Prithika Pradeep make a formidable women’s team. Jyothi has shown consistency this season, landing five World Cup stage medals. Parneet has competed non-stop and has won World Cup stage and World University Games medals.

The experienced Prathamesh Fuge and Aman Saini along with rising star Rishabh Yadav, who medalled in three World Cup stages and World Games this year, in the men’s side have the potential to beat the best.

Jyothi and Rishabh trained in Germany for 10 days before joining the rest of the squad in Korea.

“Training abroad without any distractions will help our archers,” said compound coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja.

Olympians Deepika, a World Cup stage-2 bronze medallist, and Ankita Bhakat along with World youth medallist Gatha Khadake will look to realise their potential.

In the men’s team, Olympian B. Dhiraj will lead Neeraj Chauhan and Rahul.

“The training camp in Yecheon (Korea) was good; the archers got windy conditions to train. We have been telling them to focus on their shooting form to avoid pressure,” said recurve coach Rahul Banerjee.

Compound competitions start on Saturday (September 6, 2025), followed by recurve on Tuesday (September 9, 2025).

The squad

Recurve: Men: B. Dhiraj, Neeraj Chauhan, Rahul

Women: Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, Gatha Khadake.

Compound: Men: Aman Saini, Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav

Women: V. Jyothi Surekha, Parneet Kaur, Prithika Pradeep.