Deepika Kumari has been one of the best archers for a while, and the Indian reached another high in her career, when she equalled the world record in the recurve event during the ongoing Archery World Cup in Shanghai. Deepika equalled reigning Olympic and World Archery Champion, Korea's Ki Bo Bae's, record of 686 points on Wednesday.
Deepika showed amazing form in the competition, as she shot 346 in the front half, while scoring 340 in the second to equal the record.
There was pressure on Deepika with her final six arrows, as she was required a score of 59 points to break the Korean's record. However, she could not get off to a great start, scoring two nines from the first three, which derailed her chances of beating the world record. But the former world number one showed her class, by holding her nerves, to score three 10s in succession and attain 58 points, which allowed her to equal the world mark.
The 21-year-old maintained that she did not have the world record on her mind at all.
"The fact that it was a record wasn't really on my mind. I just shot. I don't have any expectations for this week. I just want to give my best. But I'm confident about the rest of the year," World Archery's official website quoted Deepika as saying.
Deepika is one of the best medal prospects for India in the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics, and this performance will boost her confidence to excel in the quadrennial event.
