Indian Archers Eye to Defend 3 Titles at Madrid World Cup

India will have four debutants joining the likes of veterans Tarundeep Rai and Deepika Kumari competing in the fourth and final stage of the archery World Cup from Monday, as they start preparations for the World Championships later this year.

- AGENCIES MADRID

The same Indian squad competing here will also feature in the World Archery Championships to be held in Gwangju, Korea from September 5-12.

India will aim to defend the three titles they had won at the 2023 Berlin World Championships, but this time without reigning champions Ojas Deotale and Aditi Swami, who failed to make the cut in the trials.

Star compound archer Abhishek Verma and Antalya 2025 World Cup stage winner Madhura Dhamangaonkar, who made a remarkable comeback after three years, also missed out.

In another surprise, three-time Olympian Atanu Das too failed to qualify for the squad. In their place, four debutants -- including three teenagers -- have earned spots across the recurve and compound teams.