Media365
NEW DELHI: India’s archers returned home from the Asian Games with more than a record medal haul to celebrate. They came back with history rewritten, Olympic qualification secured and the belief that the gap with the world’s best is narrowing rapidly.The Indian contingent collected five gold, two silver and two bronze medals in Aichi-Nagoya, with both the compound and recurve squads producing landmark performances. The compound mixed team of Sahil Jadhav and Chikitha Taniparthu secured an Olympic quota place, while the recurve women’s team ended South Korea’s long-standing dominance by beating the 10-time Olympic champions 5-3 in the final.For a group that had faced questions before the Games, the response was emphatic. India’s compound coach Dave Cousins believes the performance should put those doubts to rest.
‘We proved exactly what they’re made of’
Cousins said the coaching group had deliberately avoided making medal predictions before the Games, instead focusing on preparation and execution.“So early on, they wanted us to make predictions on how many medals we could get. The only thing we were willing to commit to is that our athletes would go prepared and that they would execute the process as best they could,” Cousins said.The results, he argued, were a reflection of a stronger support system around the archers.“When the training is right, the preparation is right and the ecosystem is right, these are the results you get. So we’re very happy with that. We’re exceptionally happy to clinch the first ever compound archery spot for the Olympic Games. That’s a huge thing for us right now,” he added.The success was particularly significant because much of the compound squad was relatively inexperienced on the biggest international stage.“You in the media and the global archery community really had a lot of questions about our younger archers, the new squad. Well, I think we proved exactly what they’re made of,” Cousins said.Jadhav and Taniparthu were at the heart of that response. Their mixed-team gold not only delivered another Asian Games title but also secured India’s Olympic quota place.
Gold medallists India’s Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Rajesh Jadhav celebrate after winning the Compound Mixed Team Final. (Reuters Photo)
Jadhav said the final against Chinese Taipei was less about pressure and more about sticking to a plan repeatedly rehearsed in training.“It feels fantastic, and seeing this grand welcome gives us even more joy. There wasn’t pressure as such because we had practised specifically for these situations,” Jadhav said. “It was all about execution, and we delivered. Now I feel all the hard work I’ve put in so far has truly paid off.”Taniparthu said the victory had given the young group another reason to work harder.“This feels so good and happy, and by this we will get motivated that we have to win more, do more hard work, then every time we will also get this,” she said.The compound women’s team also underlined India’s growing strength by equalling the world record score during its 238-234 victory over China. Taniparthu won that gold alongside veteran Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Prithika Pradeep.Sahil was also part of the men’s gold-medal-winning team, while Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won men’s team gold and individual bronze. Kushal Dalal was another member of the men’s gold-winning side.
India’s Kumkum Anil Mohod in action. (Reuters Photo)
‘We thought that we would do it, and we did’
The recurve contingent produced its own piece of history.Kumkum Mohod emerged as one of India’s biggest individual stars, winning women’s individual gold and helping the country secure women’s team gold and mixed team silver. Her individual triumph also secured an Olympic quota for India.The 17-year-old said the result was the product of collective preparation rather than an individual effort.“What we thought would happen, happened. It was the team’s hard work, all the team’s motivation, and the support of the Archery Association of India and SAI. That’s why everything happened,” she said.In the individual final against South Korea’s Oh Yejin, Kumkum consciously shut out the opponent and concentrated on her own shooting.“In the final match, I completely enjoyed my shooting. I held on to my feeling, just shot my arrows and didn’t look at who was ahead,” she said.Her advice after the breakthrough was equally simple.“Just stay disciplined and do your best at your work. Don’t get carried away. Just keep doing your work properly,” she added.But it was the women’s team victory over 10-time Olympic champions South Korea that arguably carried the biggest historical significance. Kirti Sharma was part of the side that defeated the Koreans 5-3, ending their dominance in the event.“India’s first gold in this event. We beat Korea to win gold, so this created history for us. I feel very good that I was part of the team that created that history,” Sharma said.The magnitude of the challenge was not lost on the Indian team.“There was pressure because that team always took gold, so there was pressure on us, but we thought that we would do it, and we did,” Sharma said.
India’s Kumkum Anil Mohod, Ankita Bhakat and Kirti celebrate after winning the gold medal. (Reuters Photo)
Bigger target: LA 2028
The men’s recurve squad also contributed to India’s medal haul, with Dhiraj Bommadevara winning silver in the mixed team event with Kumkum and another silver in the men’s team event. Neeraj Chauhan claimed individual bronze and men’s team silver, while Yashdeep Bhoge was part of the silver-winning men’s team.Bommadevara believes the support structure around Indian archery has changed dramatically.“Earlier, there was hardly any support, and I relied closely on my family and friends. But if it weren’t for this government, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Our Prime Minister, our Sports Minister and our administrative setup have been so supportive,” he said.The pressure of an Asian Games, he added, was easier to manage because of the team’s environment.“Pressure is there for everyone, but we were fortunate to have a team where we could stay cool and calm,” he said.And the next targets are already visible.“Next year, we have the World Championships, where Olympic quotas are there, and after that the LA Olympics,” he said.For Chauhan, the Asian Games was his first experience of the multi-sport event, and the medal made the occasion even more meaningful.“Overall, the experience of the Asian Games was very good. It was my first Asian Games. I went with the hope that I had to bring a medal for India, and bringing this medal has made me and my family very proud,” he said.Bhoge, making his debut, highlighted the collective spirit that helped India navigate the crucial moments.“Obviously it was my debut, so there were crunch moments, but everyone kept their morale up. The team stayed together. Because the whole team stayed together, we were able to play well and maintain ourselves,” he said.The Asian Games medals have therefore brought celebration, but also a bigger expectation. With Olympic quotas secured, South Korea’s recurve dominance finally broken and a new generation of compound archers announcing themselves, India’s archery programme now has a new benchmark.The Aichi-Nagoya triumph was historic. The next target is bigger — Los Angeles 2028.
