Chinese archers sweep top seeds in Asian Youth Para Games qualification
The archery competition at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games got underway on Thursday with the qualification round at the Dubai Club for People of Determination.
It marks the sport’s first appearance at the continental Games since Kuala Lumpur 2013.
Across all three categories – recurve, compound and W1 – archers competed at 18 metres. Compound athletes shot on the three-spot 40cm face, while recurve and W1 used the single-spot 40cm face.
After 60 arrows, Chinese archers led the rankings in all three categories. Luo Jiawen topped the recurve men’s qualifying with 549 points, while 16-year-old compatriot Chen Yu claimed first place in the recurve women’s field with 561.
Chen enjoyed a strong start to her campaign, finishing qualification ahead of Gwangju 2025 World Archery Para Championships silver medallist Gao Zihan.
In compound, Ran Xinxin led the men’s qualification with 574 points, while Wang Huiting secured top seeding in the women’s event with a score of 562. Wang Liya also finished first for China in the W1 category, leading the field with 582.
India’s Payal Nag, a limbless archer making her international debut, placed fourth in the compound women’s qualification with 552 points.
Despite her strong start, Chen exited the competition in the semifinals after defeat to Korea’s Kwon Hayeon, who will face India’s Bhawna Bhawna in the gold medal match. Other top seed Ran also fell at the semifinal stage, losing to Thailand’s Satsue Sitthidet.
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: Luo Jiawen, China – 549
- Recurve women: Chen Yu, China – 561
- Compound men: Ran Xinxin, China – 553
- Compound women: Wang Huiting, China – 562
- W1 women: Wang Liya, China – 581
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