Parneet Kaur Defeats World No. 2 Ella Gibson at Archery Worlds to Qualify for Quarterfinals
Parneet Kaur pulled off a huge win for India at the World Archery Championships in Gwangju, Korea. On Tuesday, the Indian compound archer defeated World No. 2 Ella Gibson of Great Britain 148-146 to qualify for the quarterfinal.
The 20-year-old controlled her nerves on the big stage. Gibson, who is among the strongest names in world archery, came in as the favorite. But Parneet was steady, confident, and precise right from the start.
The contest was tight. Both archers kept hitting close to the center. Neither gave away much in the first round. Every time Gibson scored a 10, Parneet, the World University Games individual silver medallist, answered with one of her own.
As the match went deeper, the pressure grew. Gibson has experience with these situations, but Parneet handled it just as well. She took her time, stayed calm at the line, and delivered.
The scoreboard at the end showed 148 for Parneet and 146 for Gibson. Just the two points made the difference, and those two points changed the story of the match.
For Parneet, it is a career-defining result. To beat the world No. 2 at the World Championships is not easy. Gibson has been one of the most consistent compound archers in the world. Yet Parneet showed her ability to the world.
This win is also a big boost for Indian archery. The sport has been steadily making progress in the country, and results like these show the growth. For compound archery in particular, India has been producing strong performances. Parneet’s victory adds to that list and will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the tournament.
She held her nerve against one of the best in the world in such a close match. This said a lot about her mindset and preparation.
For Indian archery fans and young archers watching back home, this is an inspiring story as well. It is a reminder that rankings and reputations can be challenged.
Throughout the match, Parneet’s body language never looked shaky. She was calm and composed; she was focused. She didn’t rush her shots. That calmness turned into her biggest strength. Against a player like Gibson, who usually thrives on pressure, this calm presence worked in Parneet’s favor.
When the final arrow landed, the job was done. Gibson, the favorite, had been beaten. Parneet Kaur was through to the quarterfinals.
