Das to lead refreshed Indian squad in Shanghai

Rio 2016 Olympian Atanu Das will lead an Indian recurve men’s squad with three new faces at the first two stages of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai, China, in late April, and Antalya, Turkey in May.

His teammates, Sukhchain Singh, Ajay and Jagdish Choudhary have one previous international appearance between them.

“This is a new team, young fresh blood,” said Das, who starts the 2018 season ranked number 21 in the world. “It’s good news that archers are coming up the pathway. We are growing in India.”

Das, who has finished top eight at Hyundai Archery World Cup stages over the past two years, is searching for his first individual podium at a world outdoor event.

“Every day is a new day and every season is a new season. I hope this season will be better than ever,” he said.

“I’m working harder and smarter to make the jump. I’ve found mistakes from the last few years and I’ve started to fix those, one-by-one.”

Deepika Kumari, the recent star of a successful Netflix documentary and a four-time Hyundai Archery World Cup Final silver medallist, will return to the Indian team with Ankita Bhakat. Both Kumari and Bhakat hail from Jharkhand region.

Promila Daimary and Bombayla Devi Laishram complete the familiar recurve women’s line-up.

India’s compound team for the first two legs of the circuit will comprise of Rajat Chauhan, Abhishek Verma, Chinna Raju Srither and Sangampreet Singh Bisla in the men’s event and Divya Dhayal, Muskan Kirar, Madhumita Kumari and Jyothi Surekha Vennam for the women’s competition.

The first stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place on 23-29 April in Shanghai, China.