In a nail-biting finish that will be remembered for years, India’s men’s recurve team ended Korea’s 12-year winning streak by defeating them in a dramatic shoot-off at the Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka. The victory marks India’s first gold medal in this category since 2007—an 18-year wait that ended with the most thrilling conclusion imaginable.
Table of Contents
India Breaks Championship Highlights at a Glance
| Category | Result | Athletes | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Recurve Team | 🥇 Gold | Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das, Rahul | 5-4 (shoot-off) |
| Women’s Compound Individual | 🥇 Gold | Jyothi Surekha Vennam | 147-145 |
| Women’s Compound Individual | 🥈 Silver | Prithika Pradeep (17 years old) | 147-145 |
| Women’s Compound Team | 🥇 Gold | Jyothi, Prithika, Deepshikha | 236-234 |
| Compound Mixed Team | 🥇 Gold | Abhishek Verma, Deepshikha | 153-155 |
| Men’s Compound Team | 🥈 Silver | Team India | Lost to Kazakhstan |
| Recurve Mixed Team | Bronze Match | Anshika Kumari, Yashdeep Bhoge | Lost to Korea |
The Shoot-Off That Stopped Hearts
The Indian team comprising Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge, Atanu Das, and Rahul emerged victorious by a slender 5-4 margin courtesy of a shoot-off. Both teams shot 29 apiece in the shoot-off, but India won gold as Rahul’s arrow was closest to the centre.
Imagine the pressure: facing the sport’s most dominant nation, tied at 29 points each, with everything coming down to millimeters. Rahul’s arrow landed closer to the bullseye, securing not just victory but ending Korea’s unprecedented dominance in the event since 2013.
This wasn’t just any win—it was India toppling archery royalty. Korea had remained unbeaten in this event for over a decade, making India’s triumph even more spectacular. The team’s composure under immense pressure showcased the mental fortitude that defines championship-caliber athletes.
Jyothi Surekha Vennam: The Queen Returns to Her Throne
While the men were creating history, reigning Asian Games champion Jyothi Surekha Vennam claimed her third individual gold medal at the Asian Championships after previously winning in 2015 and 2021. The all-Indian compound women’s final saw Jyothi defeat 17-year-old teammate Prithika Pradeep 147-145.
What makes this special? Vennam played a near-perfect round of 149 in the semifinals against Chinese Taipei’s Chen Si-yu, demonstrating exceptional consistency when it mattered most. Her ability to peak at major championships separates good archers from legends.
At just 17 years old, Prithika’s silver medal performance signals India’s bright future. The teenager, already a silver medallist at Winnipeg 2025, pushed the experienced champion to her limits in the final—losing by just two points. This generation gap battle showcased India’s impressive depth in compound archery.
Five Medals in Compound: Domination Across Disciplines
India’s compound archers delivered a masterclass, securing five medals:
✅ Women’s Individual: Gold (Jyothi) & Silver (Prithika)
✅ Women’s Team: Gold (Jyothi, Prithika, Deepshikha)
✅ Mixed Team: Gold (Abhishek Verma, Deepshikha)
✅ Men’s Team: Silver (Lost to Kazakhstan)
The women’s compound team gold came against Korea, with India edging out the archery powerhouse 236-234. Meanwhile, veteran Abhishek Verma partnered with youngster Deepshikha to claim gold in the mixed team event, defeating Bangladesh’s home duo 153-155.
This comprehensive medal haul across multiple categories demonstrates systematic excellence rather than isolated success. Check out more about these championship performances on the official World Archery website.
What’s Next: Recurve Individual Semifinals Await
The championships continue with high-stakes individual matches:
Women’s Recurve Semifinals:
- Five-time Olympian Deepika Kumari faces compatriot Ankita Bhakat in an all-Indian semifinal
- Sangeeta takes on Paris Olympic silver medallist Nam Suhyeon
Men’s Recurve Semifinals:
- Dhiraj Bommadevara battles Korea’s Jang Chaehwan
- Rahul (fresh from his team gold heroics) squares off against Korea’s Seo Mingi
The stage is set for potential individual glory to complement the team success. Deepika Kumari, with her Olympic pedigree and championship experience, enters as a strong favorite, though facing Ankita in an all-Indian semifinal guarantees one Indian in the final regardless.
Why This Matters for Indian Archery
This championship represents more than medals—it’s validation of India’s evolving archery ecosystem. The blend of experienced campaigners like Atanu Das, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Abhishek Verma with emerging talents like Prithika Pradeep (17), Deepshikha, and Yashdeep Bhoge creates a sustainable pipeline.
Key Takeaways:
- 🎯 Ending 18-year gold drought in men’s recurve team shows program improvements
- 🎯 Compound archery dominance with 5 medals demonstrates technical excellence
- 🎯 Youth performance (17-year-old Prithika’s silver) ensures long-term competitiveness
- 🎯 Beating Korea in their specialty builds confidence for upcoming Olympics
India’s archery resurgence couldn’t come at a better time. With the Paris Olympics cycle concluding and preparations for Los Angeles 2028 underway, this championship performance provides crucial momentum and selection clarity.
For the latest coverage of India’s sporting achievements, explore our sports championship analysis.
The Bigger Picture: Asia’s Archery Landscape
Korea’s loss, while shocking, also reflects the region’s competitive evolution. Kazakhstan won men’s compound team gold, Chinese Taipei produced strong semifinalists, and Bangladesh performed admirably as hosts. The old guard still dominates, but challengers are emerging.
India’s performance—particularly the dramatic shoot-off victory—sends a clear message: Asian archery supremacy is no longer predetermined. The psychological barrier has been broken, and India’s archers now know they can beat anyone on any given day.
What’s particularly encouraging? The victories came in Dhaka, Bangladesh—away from home comforts. Championship mettle isn’t just about skill; it’s about performing under foreign conditions, handling hostile crowds, and maintaining composure when everything’s on the line.
For comprehensive archery news and Indian sports updates, visit our competitive sports hub.
FAQs
Q: When was the last time India won gold in men’s recurve team at the Asian Archery Championships?
India’s last gold medal in the men’s recurve team event at the Asian Archery Championships came in 2007—making this victory an 18-year breakthrough. What makes this win even more remarkable is that Korea had remained unbeaten in this event since 2013, establishing a 12-year dominance that seemed unshakeable. The Indian team of Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge, Atanu Das, and Rahul not only ended their country’s long drought but also toppled archery’s most formidable dynasty in the sport’s most pressure-packed format. The victory came via shoot-off after both teams scored 29 points, with Rahul’s arrow landing closest to center to secure the historic gold.
Q: How many medals did India win in the compound archery events at Asian Championships 2025?
India secured an impressive five medals in compound archery events. Jyothi Surekha Vennam led the charge with her third individual Asian Championships gold (after 2015 and 2021), defeating 17-year-old teammate Prithika Pradeep 147-145 in an all-Indian final. The medals included: gold in women’s individual (Jyothi), silver in women’s individual (Prithika), gold in women’s team (Jyothi, Prithika, Deepshikha defeating Korea 236-234), gold in mixed team (Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha beating Bangladesh 153-155), and silver in men’s team (losing to Kazakhstan). This dominant performance across multiple categories demonstrates India’s systematic excellence in compound archery and establishes them as genuine medal contenders for future international competitions.
