'No amount of praise is enough': Munda hails India's historic archery win
Arjun Munda hails India's historic archery campaign at the Asian Games 2026, highlighting the team's gold medal haul and Olympic ambitions.
Arjun Munda, the President of the Archery Association of India (AAI) and a prominent BJP leader, has lauded the extraordinary performances of Indian archers and coaches during the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. He remarked that the level of achievement displayed by the athletes is so significant that "no amount of praise is enough" to honor their efforts.
A Landmark Campaign in Aichi-Nagoya
India's archery contingent emerged as one of the most successful disciplines at the games, securing a massive haul of medals. The campaign was defined by:
- Five gold medals secured by Indian archers.
- Nine total podium finishes across various events.
- Historic milestones that established archery as a powerhouse in the region.
The performance was bolstered by the rise of young recurve talent Kumkum Mohod and significant successes within the compound archery events. This success matched India's previous record from the 2023 Hangzhou Games, cementing archery's status as a premier sport for the nation.
Breaking the South Korean Dominance
The victory was not just about the number of medals, but the caliber of the competition overcome. Recurve archery coach Sonam Tshering Bhutia highlighted a monumental shift in the sport's hierarchy, noting that India successfully challenged the long-standing dominance of South Korea.
Key Highlights of the Campaign:
- Women's Team Glory: The women's team secured their first-ever Asian Games gold medal.
- Record-Breaking Qualification: The team set a new Asian Games record during the qualification rounds.
- Mixed Team Success: Dheeraj and Kumkum secured a silver medal in the mixed team event.
- Olympic Qualification: The team has officially qualified for the LA28 Olympics.
"We've made history; the women's team won a gold medal for the first time... Korea used to dominate the world of archery, but we overcame that dominance to win two gold medals," Bhutia stated, expressing immense confidence that India will hoist the tricolour at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Focus on the Road to LA28
Arjun Munda attributed the rising sporting culture in India to the positive environment fostered under the current leadership. He noted that the momentum from these games has already pushed athletes to begin their preparations for the next Olympic cycle.
To sustain this growth, Munda emphasized the need for continuous support through the Archery Premier League. He urged the Indian public to embrace the sport and back the athletes as they continue to represent the nation on the global stage.