GUATEMALA CITY: All eyes will be on the newly-wed archery couple of Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari as India will look to make up for the lost time caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the World Cup Stage 1 which begins on Tuesday.
It has been more than 18 months since the last circuit trophies were awarded at the World Cup Final in Moscow. The World Cup Stage 1 will be the first global event since the pandemic forced the cancellation of the international calendar in 2020.
For the Indians, the wait was longer as they last took part in a World Cup back in the stage 4 circuit in Berlin in July 2019. Thus, they would look to shake off the rustiness and get back to rhythm.
In the absence of Asian heavyweights Korea, China, Chinese Taipei and Turkey, the Indian archers led by Atanu and Deepika would look to a strong performance in the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics. Known for meticulous planning, archery’s leading nation Korea has announced it will not shoot at any of the three stages of the
2021 World Cup, all scheduled before the Olympic Games, due to ongoing travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.
Without the big Asian teams, it will be a battle of supremacy between the American and European nations, while the Indians
would also hope to make a mark, especially in the mixed and team events.
—PTI

Press Trust of India