Indian archer Ankita Bhakat created history at the 2025 Asian Archery Championships by clinching the Women’s Recurve Individual Gold, defeating the highly decorated Paris Olympics silver medallist Nam Suhyeon of South Korea in a thrilling 7-3 five-set final. This landmark victory marks a major breakthrough for the young Indian archer and shines a fresh spotlight on India’s growing prowess in international archery.
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Breaking It Down: Ankita Bhakat’s Road to Gold
Ankita’s journey to the gold medal was remarkable. In the semifinals, she faced her experienced senior and former world No. 1 Deepika Kumari. The intense battle ended in a nail-biting shoot-off where both archers shot nines, but Ankita’s arrow landed closer to the center, securing her place in the final. The final against Nam showcased Ankita’s resilience, focus, and technical excellence.
Ankita started strong in the final, taking the opening set 29-27 with two perfect 10s. The second set ended in a 27-27 tie, but Nam fought back to win the third 28-26, leveling the match 3-3. Demonstrating nerves of steel, Ankita reclaimed the lead in the fourth set by scoring another two perfect 10s in a 29-28 win. She sealed her victory with a dominant 29 in the final set, once again hitting two 10s, to clinch the gold medal.
Key Match Highlights and Stats
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Asian Archery Championships 2025 |
| Category | Women’s Recurve Individual |
| Gold Medalist | Ankita Bhakat (India) |
| Silver Medalist | Nam Suhyeon (South Korea) |
| Final Score | 7-3 (five-set match) |
| Semifinal Opponent | Deepika Kumari (India), won shoot-off 6-5 |
| Significant Moment | Winning shoot-offs and clutch 10s in critical sets |
| India’s Archery Feat | First major solo gold against an Olympic medallist |
Why This Victory Matters
Ankita Bhakat’s gold is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to India’s rising stature in archery on the Asian and global stage. Defeating an Olympic silver medallist from South Korea—a powerhouse in archery—signals a changing tide. Indians are increasingly competitive in international shooting sports, bridging the gap with long-dominant Asian neighbours.
Veteran sports fans will remember Deepika Kumari’s consistent performances, and Ankita’s emergence alongside and now ahead of such stalwarts promises a bright future for India. This feat aligns with India’s growing investment in nurturing sports talent beyond cricket, highlighted recently with other successful athletes showcased on TechnoSports.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Ankita Bhakat and what makes her Asian Championship win special?
Ankita Bhakat is a young Indian archer who stunned the sporting world by beating South Korea’s Olympic silver medallist Nam Suhyeon 7-3 in the final. Her win is historic as it marks one of India’s biggest breakthroughs in archery, demonstrating skill, composure, and mental strength at the highest level.
Q2: How did Ankita perform in the semifinals and final of the Asian Archery Championships?