Rishabh Yadav: The energy behind India’s winning mixed team partnership

The regional training centre in Sonepat, an industrial city in India’s northern state of Haryana, has been a second home for Rishabh Yadav – much like it is for many of the country’s elite archers, and the base of one of the circuit’s most consistent mixed team pairings.

More than just a training base for the promising archer, it is where he has grown both as an athlete and a person; where he draws inspiration to excel, has matured, and found friends for life.

“The entire atmosphere in Sonepat is like home – the people, the food we eat,” said Yadav, who has been resident there since 2018.

Training days pass quickly on the ground with a sense of fun, while off days feel longer for the Gurugram-based archer. He is eager to return – to train alongside his mentors and friends, Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Abhishek Verma, two of India’s finest compound archers.

While both have been senior figures to Yadav, the bond they have built on and off the field stands out. In particular, the mixed team pairing of Vennam and Yadav has recently grabbed headlines, delivering results and winning the hearts of Indian fans.

So what makes their partnership so effective?

At first glance, it appears to be a contrast in personalities.

Many who know world number two Vennam would admit that she is an introvert by nature. Meanwhile, the vivacious Yadav is among the most talkative on the field.

From a modest start to becoming one of the most consistent combinations on the circuit, the duo’s partnership has grown over the years – in trust, communication, friendship and results, moving beyond that initial silence.

“Basically, I speak a lot,” said Yadav. “I keep talking throughout, no matter whether the person in front of me is replying or not – but I make them respond. I never let the conversation die.”

“I remember one time during a match, I was talking about a building behind the venue while the 10-second timer had already started. And then Jyothi didi said, ‘focus on the front.’”

Yadav’s energy is balanced by Vennam’s calm and composed demeanour – a combination that has proved effective under pressure.

Whether it is early in the morning or late at night, Yadav brings the same level of positivity and enthusiasm, a trait those around him have come to recognise.

“We have a bond now, and we are very communicative,” said the world number four. “I can say whatever I am feeling, and she can also say whatever she is feeling in that moment.”

The results reflect that understanding.

The Yadav-Vennam pair have medalled every time they have competed together in mixed team events – across two Hyundai Archery World Cup stages, a World Archery Championships and an Asian Championships.

In India, mixed team pairings are not fixed. Selection is determined by qualification rankings at each event, with the top-ranked male and female archers forming the team.

Yadav and Vennam were first paired at the 2021 Asian Championships in Dhaka – only his second senior international appearance.

“I had only seen her as a very senior archer, so there wasn’t much talking between us,” he recalled. “It was just two individuals shooting, and we ended up winning a silver medal.”

Asked if he felt intimidated competing alongside one of the country’s best, Yadav admitted the challenge.

“I was very young then – still a junior. In my mind, I had to match that level of scores and expectations. I believed she would shoot perfectly; I just had to do my part.”

Their renewed partnership in 2025 marked a turning point.

They won gold at stages one and four of the Hyundai Archery World Cup, establishing themselves among the world’s leading mixed teams.

In Florida , despite a reduced Indian squad due to visa constraints, Yadav competed alongside Ojas Pravin Deotale, Verma and Vennam, winning two team gold medals.

“We knew about the possibility of compound mixed team being included in the Olympics an hour before the final, so winning gold there was special – especially as it was my first World Cup medal,” he said.

The moment was even more meaningful as he shared it with his idol.

“Winning with both my idols was special. I have learnt a lot from them, on and off the field.”

Stage 4 in Madrid brought another milestone, as Yadav and Vennam set a new world record in mixed team qualification.

“We both shot very well that day and ended up breaking the mixed team world record by two points,” he said.

Their consistency continued at the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships, following a two-week self-organised training camp in Germany.

“You need endurance to stay consistent the entire day. There is hardly any rest between events,” Yadav said. “Our first mixed team match was a perfect 160. We shot really well and reached the final.”

They eventually secured silver after losing to the Netherlands.

“If you ask me what’s working for us, I would say communication and trust,” he added.

That connection extends beyond competition. Together with Verma, they travel, explore cities, share meals and experiences across the world – from Lac La Biche to Europe, and more recently Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“It was amazing to see the glaciers, fresh snow, and travel together,” Yadav said. “We enjoy that adrenaline rush.”

They have also visited each other’s homes and met their families, strengthening a bond built on trust and friendship.

With compound archery now included in the LA28 Olympic programme, Yadav hopes to maintain his consistency and realise his dream of competing at his first Games alongside his mentor and teammate.

Personal images courtesy of Rishabh Yadav.