Dubai 2025: China's archers dominate qualification at Asian Youth Para Games

The archery competition at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games got underway on Thursday with qualification at the Dubai Club for People of Determination. It is the first edition of the sport to be held at the continental Games since Kuala Lumpur 2013.

In all three categories – recurve, compound and W1 – archers shot 18 metres with the compound to use the three-spot 40cm face, while recurve and W1 used the single-spot 40cm face.

After 60 arrows, Chinese archers took the lead in all three categories. Luo Jiawen led the recurve U21 men ranking with 549 points, while 16-year-old compatriot Chen Yu claimed the top seeding in the recurve women's field with 561. Yu had an amazing run at the tournament, having finished ahead of worlds silver medallist Gao Zihan, in qualification.

China's Ran Xinxin was on top in compound men's qualification with 574 while Wang Huiting was top seed in compound women's open event shooting 562. In W1, Wang Liya, also of China, led the small W1 field with 582.

Limbless archer Payal Nag, like many others, made her international debut at these Games and was placed fourth in the compound women qualification with 552 points 

Chen held on until the semi-finals before she was defeated by Kwon Hayeon of South Korea, who will now face India's Bhawna Bhawna in the final. Top seed Xinxin also met the same fate as she was defeated by Satsue Sitthidet in compound men's open last four match.

Competition at the Asian Youth Para Games concludes with finals on Friday.

Top seeds: Asian Youth Para Games 2025

Full results are available on the event page.

Recurve men open: Luo Jiawen, China – 549
Recurve women open: Chen Yu, China - 561
Compound men open: Ran Xinxin, China – 553
Compound women open: Wang Huiting, China - 562
W1: Wang Liya, China - 581