Kang, who topped the ranking round with a score of 630, had entered the quarterfinal as the formidable favourite. She is a Tokyo 2020 Olympic team champion and won the individual world title at the 2025 World Archery Championships.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Kumkum, who qualified 10th with 611 points, showed remarkable composure against the Korean star.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kang opened the quarterfinal with a 9, but Kumkum immediately responded with a 10. After the Korean found another 10, the Indian teenager answered with a 9 before closing out the opening set with a 10 to take it 29-28 and draw first blood.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kang hit back in the second set, winning it 28-27 to level the contest at 2-2. Kumkum, however, regained the advantage in the third set, shooting a 10 followed by two 9s as she edged Kang 28-27 to move 4-2 ahead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the match on the line, Kang showed why she is one of the world\u2019s leading recurve archers. The fourth set was locked at 29-29, but Kumkum\u2019s final 10 ensured the set was tied and left her just one set point away from a place in the semifinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The teenager then held her nerve brilliantly in the decider.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kang began with a 10, while Kumkum replied with a 9. Both then shot 9s with their second arrows. Kang needed a 10 with her final arrow to take the set and force the match back, but could manage only a 9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kumkum needed a 10 to tie the set \u2014 and delivered.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The fifth set finished 28-28, giving Kumkum the two set points she needed to seal a 6-4 victory and eliminate the reigning world champion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The result adds another chapter to what has already been a breakthrough Asian Games campaign for Kumkum. She was part of India\u2019s historic women\u2019s recurve team gold-winning side alongside Ankita Bhakat and Kirti, which ended South Korea\u2019s long-standing dominance in the event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The fifth set finished 28-28, giving Kumkum the two set points she needed to seal a 6-4 victory and eliminate the reigning world champion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Special Cricket Stories<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n