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Kirti Sharma Leads India to Historic Asian Games Archery Gold
Kirti Sharma once found it difficult to lift and draw an archery bow because she was very thin and weak.
Coaches first rejected her when they visited her village in Haryana.
She received another chance three years later and joined an archery academy.
Her coaches helped her build strength and improve how she held and released the bow.
Nutritionists also helped her change her diet.
At the Asian Games, Kirti competed with Kumkum Mohod and Ankita Bhakat for India.
They beat the strong South Korean team by a score of 5-2.
This was India’s first Asian Games gold medal in recurve archery.
The team won despite difficult wind conditions.
Kirti Sharma, Kumkum Mohod and Ankita Bhakat defeated South Korea 5-2 in the women’s recurve archery final.
The victory gave India its first Asian Games gold medal in recurve archery.
India and South Korea were tied 2-2 after two sets before India won the fourth and tied the fifth.
Kirti was initially rejected because coaches considered her too thin and lacking the strength to draw a bow.
Coaches and nutritionists later helped Kirti improve her diet, shoulder strength, stability and shooting technique.
- Who
- Indian archers Kirti Sharma, Kumkum Mohod and Ankita Bhakat defeated South Korea’s women’s team, which included Kang Chae-young, Oh Ye-jin and Lee Yunji.
- What
- India won its first Asian Games gold medal in recurve archery by defeating South Korea 5-2.
- Where
- The final was held at Okazaki Central Park Multipurpose Square in Japan, according to the article.
- When
- Friday; the articles do not provide the exact date.
- Why
- India won the title by taking the decisive sets after the match was tied 2-2 following the second set.
Key facts
- Event
- Asian Games women’s recurve archery team final
- Result
- India defeated South Korea 5-2
- Indian team
- Kirti Sharma, Kumkum Mohod and Ankita Bhakat
- Historic achievement
- India’s first Asian Games gold in recurve archery
- Kirti’s age
- 19
- Early challenge
- Kirti was initially considered too thin and lacked the strength to draw the bow
- Preparation
- Coaches and nutritionists worked on her strength, diet, shoulder stability and shooting form
- Conditions
- Treacherous winds affected the archery ranges
Quotes
Vijay Sharma
Kirti Sharma’s father
“Initially I had rejected Kirti due to her thin body frame, but some years later, when we visited the village again, we selected her. We had to work a lot on her strength and to make her body in alignment with the bow motion.”
indianexpress.com
“Food wasn’t a problem as per normal standards. But I used to eat less than what a sportswoman requires. I was always lean, so I had to change my diet.”
indianexpress.com








