In recurve men’s, Das narrowly missed out by just 0.5 points to veteran Tarundeep Rai. Dhiraj Bommadevara topped the trials, with Neeraj Chauhan and Rai completing the team.
“It felt like a year’s work gone to waste,” said Das, who also cited a shoulder injury from the third stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya. “Becoming world champion was always my target. The last few days were very tough.”
Rookie Rahul Singh, 20, earned his first senior call-up.
“I’ve dreamed about playing world cups and senior world championships since I started archery,” said Singh, who won team gold and mixed silver at the 2024 Asian Youth Championships.
India will aim to defend its three-title haul from the Berlin 2023 Hyundai World Archery Championships, but the absence of reigning champions Deotale and Swami in compound is notable. Verma and Antalya 2025 World Cup stage winner Madhura Dhamangaonkar also missed out.
Aman Saini made a strong comeback, topping the compound men’s trials for his first World Cup appearance since Paris 2022.
“The competition was intense, but I focused on one arrow at a time with a clear mindset,” said the Delhi archer. “Topping the trials was a big confidence booster – it reflects the hard work I’ve put in over the past years.”
“It felt like a long wait, filled with challenges and moments of self-reflection. But I never gave up. I’m hungry for results and I won’t stop this time.”
Rising stars Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav and Priyansh complete the compound men’s squad.
In compound women’s, 16-year-old Prithika Pradeep joins Asian Games Champion Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Parneet Kaur, adding another young name to India’s new-look teams.
