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In a historic triumph, the Indian men's recurve archery team stunned reigning Olympic champions South Korea 5-1 (57-57, 57-55, 55-53) to claim the gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai. This victory marks India's first World Cup men's team gold in 14 years and significantly boosts their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.The Indian trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav displayed remarkable resilience and precision against a formidable Korean team that included Tokyo Games gold medalists Kim Je-deok and Kim Woo-jin. Despite the absence of a coach due to a rule violation, the Indians remained composed and focused on their own performance.In the first set, both teams tied 1-1 with a score of 57. However, the Indians seized the momentum in the second set, delivering four 10s (three Xs) to Korea's two 8s, winning 57-55. They maintained their dominance in the third set, scoring 55-53, as the Koreans struggled to find a 10.Dhiraj Bommadevara, who has already secured an individual Paris Games quota, expressed his delight at the team's achievement. "This result gives us a big boost in the Olympic year," he said. "This medal feels good, especially with the amount of work we've been doing in the past couple of years, keeping just this Olympics in mind."The Indian men's team's victory is a testament to their hard work and determination. With two more spots available through world rankings and three more at the final qualification tournament, they are well-positioned to secure a quota for the Paris Olympics.Meanwhile, Deepika Kumari made a triumphant return to the World Cup stage after two years, winning the women's recurve silver medal. She defeated Korean archers Jeon Hunyoung and Nam Suhyeon before falling to Lim Si-hyeon in the final.

Tarundeep Rai, India's veteran archer, has made a remarkable comeback after being excluded from the Asian Games team last year. The snub ignited a fire within him, leading him to adopt drastic lifestyle changes and intensify his training.Rai, a three-time Olympian, was devastated by his omission from the Hangzhou Asian Games despite his strong performances. "I was boiling with anger," he recalled. "I decided to give it one last shot."To regain his fitness and competitiveness, Rai embarked on a strict diet and dedicated more time to the gym. He shed 12kg in two months, determined to prove his worth.His efforts paid off when he made the cut for the Indian team for the World Cup and Olympics after a two-month trial. In Shanghai, Rai and his teammates Dhiraj Bommadevara and Pravin Jadhav created history by defeating reigning Olympic champions South Korea to win the World Cup gold.Rai attributed their success to their unwavering focus and the inclusion of a sports psychologist. "We didn't think about winning over Korea," he said. "We just went there to replicate what we have been doing at practice."The victory marked the first time an Indian men's team had defeated archery powerhouse Korea in a World Cup final. It also boosted their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.Rai, who began his international career in 2003, is now in the best shape of his life. "I feel amazing right now," he said. "I've got this childlike energy that keeps me going."His journey serves as an inspiration to athletes of all ages, proving that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.