India’s growing depth: A defining six-gold performance in Dhaka
India delivered one of its strongest all-round performances at the 2025 Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka, finishing ahead of powerhouse Korea with an impressive tally of six gold – including a historic gold in the recurve men’s individual event, the first for the country in 18 years – three silver and one bronze medal.
Beyond the numbers, what defined India’s campaign was the growing depth, maturity and confidence across both the compound and recurve squads.
Indian archers opened with commanding achievements in the compound events, where Jyothi Surekha Vennam once again underlined her stature as one of the continent’s best. She became one of the few Indian archers to win two gold medals at a single edition of the championships, claiming both the women’s individual title and the team title with Prithika Pradeep and Deepshikha.
Pradeep secured silver in the individual event after an all-India final with Vennam.
“The whole tournament was great,” Vennam said, reflecting on her performance. “I know I didn’t have my best qualification day, but I wanted to give everything in both events. I’m happy I could finish with two gold medals.”
The women’s team edged Korea by two points to clinch the title, despite the trio shooting together at a major event for the first time. Their chemistry was evident.
“There was no pressure,” added Vennam. “It was the first time the three of us played as a team, but everyone was in their best form. We just wanted to fight till the last arrow, no matter what.”
Deepshikha also underlined her own form by topping qualification with an outstanding 705, before winning mixed team gold alongside Abhishek Verma. The world number 10 veteran added silver in the men’s team final with Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge, losing to Kazakhstan by a single point.
The recurve squad followed with equally impactful results.
The highlight of the tournament came in the individual recurve finals, where both Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat produced historic victories against Korean opponents, a rare feat in Asian archery and a further sign of India’s rising level.
Bommadevara defeated teammate Rahul Rahul in another all-India final to claim individual men’s gold after a spirited contest.
“It felt good that both of us reached the final,” said Rahul. “Matches like these show how much the standard in India has improved. We are pushing each other every day.”
In the women’s event, Bhakat delivered the performance of her career, beating Korea’s Nam Suhyeon, the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist, to win her first major individual title.
“I’m so happy; this is my biggest win ever in individual events,” Bhakat said. “Playing in the Archery Premier League boosted my confidence. I enjoyed shooting today.”
Sangeeta added a recurve women’s bronze for India, beating former world number one and teammate Deepika Kumari.
India’s depth was on display again in the recurve men’s team event, where Atanu Das, Rahul and Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge defeated Korea’s Seo Mingi, Kim Yeachan and Jang Jiho to capture the gold medal, another strong statement against Korea, long regarded as Asia’s dominant force.
National recurve coach Purnima Mahato believes that such results are not accidental but the outcome of a maturing system.
“The depth in India has increased tremendously,” she explained. “Selection itself has become tougher because so many archers are shooting high scores. It’s a healthy sign. The athletes are working very hard, and the structure is improving every year.”
India’s performance in Bangladesh reflected more than a successful championship; it underscored the nation’s growing influence in the region.
Initiatives like the Archery Premier League have helped build a robust archery ecosystem, supported by enhanced training systems and increased international exposure, which has enabled athletes to build confidence under pressure.
“The competition in India has become very tough,” added Vennam, echoing the sentiment. “Getting into the team itself is a big achievement now. The talent is growing immensely, and it feels good to see Indian archers doing so well at every level.”
With strong government support and a growing pool of emerging talent, India is developing the consistency and competitive edge needed to challenge the world’s best.
This year’s Asian Archery Championships didn’t just show India’s potential – they demonstrated its growing ability to convert it into podium finishes across disciplines.
Medal table: 2025 Asian Championships
Countries with at least one gold medal listed.
India: 10 (6 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)
Korea: 10 (2 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze)
Chinese Taipei: 2 (1 gold, 1 silver)
Kazakhstan: 1 (1 gold)
Archers from eight countries collected the 30 medals (10 gold, 10 silver, 10 bronze) awarded at the 2025 Asian Championships.
