Asian Archery: India Shoots Triumphant Historic 10-Medal, Record Breaking feat at Asian Archery Championships
India has made history with a record-breaking haul of 10 medals at the 24th Asian Archery Championships, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh—marking the nation’s finest-ever performance at this continental event and solidifying India’s rise in elite international archery.
Historic Achievement for Indian Archery
Indian archers claimed an unprecedented tally of six gold, three silver, and one bronze medal, topping the overall standings and outshining powerhouse nations like South Korea, who also finished with ten medals but only two golds. The achievements spanned both recurve and compound disciplines, reflecting the depth and versatility of India’s archery talent pool.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly congratulated the archery contingent, praising their determination and underscoring the inspirational value of their victories for aspiring athletes across the country.
Recurve Archers Break Barriers
The most notable breakthrough came in individual events, where Bommadevara Dhiraj and Ankita Bhakat became the first-ever Indian male and female recurve archers to win individual gold medals at the Asian Archery Championships—a feat celebrated nationwide. Dhiraj clinched the men’s individual recurve title with a composed 6-2 win against compatriot Rahul, while Ankita Bhakat stunned South Korea’s Paris Olympic silver medallist Nam Suhyeon 7-3 to win the women’s individual gold.
In addition, India’s men’s recurve team snapped Korea’s 12-year winning streak, executing stellar performances under intense pressure. The women’s recurve bronze was sealed by Sangeeta, who edged out Indian archery veteran Deepika Kumari in a dramatic shoot-off.
Total Domination in Compound Events
India’s dominance extended into compound archery, where the women’s team, featuring Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Deepshikha, and Prithika Pradeep, defended their continental crown in a nail-biting final against Korea, winning 236–234. Jyothi also added the individual gold after defeating teammate Prithika in an all-Indian showdown, while the mixed team duo of Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha clinched gold after a tense final against Bangladesh.
On the men’s side, the compound team—comprising Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge—earned a hard-fought silver, narrowly missing out against Kazakhstan in the final, but rounding out India’s exceptional medal haul.
India Tops the Medal Table
India topped the Asian Archery Championships medal table for the first time, propelled by balanced victories in both team and individual formats and showcasing the resilience, precision, and mental fortitude of its archers. The medal distribution for the championship was:
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| 2 | South Korea | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
| 3 | Chinese Taipei | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Inspirational Impact and Future Promise
The stellar showing by India’s archers is widely regarded as a turning point, inspiring youngsters across the country to take up the sport and pursue excellence. The victories underscore India’s sustained efforts in archery development, improved training infrastructure, and successful international exposure, promising even greater achievements on the road to future Olympic and world championship competitions.
With this historic haul, India’s archers have not only redefined continental standards but have also set new benchmarks for grit, strategy, and sporting passion on the Asian stage.
Turning Point and Future Impact
Experts and coaches describe the Dhaka accomplishment as a turning point in Indian archery—a blend of technical brilliance, mental toughness, and consistent execution under pressure. The medal tally not only broke previous records, but also showcased new stars and widened India’s international reputation. Athletes credited improved coaching, exposure to global competition, and strong internal competition for their rise.
Conclusion: Rising Star Nation
India’s 10-medal sweep at the Asian Archery Championships marks a new era for the sport in the country. From epic shoot-offs to all-Indian finals, the performances at Dhaka have set new standards for excellence, teamwork, and sporting grit. With every arrow, India’s archers have written a new chapter in the annals of Asian sports history—one defined by perseverance, pride, and a promise of even greater triumphs ahead.
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