'Winning gold for India was my dream': Indian archers hail historic Asian Games campaign
Kirti Sharma and Chikitha Taniparthi lead India to a historic archery campaign, securing gold and Olympic quotas at the Asian Games.
In a landmark performance that has redefined India's standing in international archery, Indian archers have delivered a historic campaign at the Asian Games, securing a massive haul of nine medals across ten events. The triumph includes five gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, matching India's previous record from the 2023 Hangzhou Games and establishing archery as the nation's most successful discipline at the Games.
Chikitha Taniparthi: A Debut to Remember
For Chikitha Taniparthi, the tournament was nothing short of a dream debut. The young athlete expressed immense delight after securing two medals and, perhaps most importantly, clinching an Olympic quota for India.
Taniparthi was a key member of the Indian women's compound archery team, alongside Jyothi Vennam and Prithika Pradeep. The trio displayed world-class precision in the final, defeating China with a score of 238-234, a performance that matched the existing world record to secure the gold medal.
Beyond the team success, Chikitha achieved a historic milestone in the mixed team compound archery event. Alongside Sahil Jadhav, she secured a spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics after a decisive victory over South Korea in the gold medal match.
"I am feeling very good. This is my first Asian Games, and winning two medals and securing an Olympic quota is a very big achievement for me," Taniparthi told ANI. "Hearing the national anthem is a feeling you always want to experience again and again. I would dedicate these medals to my parents."
Kirti Sharma: Breaking the Korean Dominance
While the compound team made waves, the women’s recurve team achieved something many thought impossible. Kirti Sharma, alongside Ankita Bhagat and Kumkum Mohod, etched her name into history by defeating the powerhouse South Korean team in the final to clinch gold.
This victory is particularly significant as it ended South Korea's 44-year dominance in the women’s team competition, marking a monumental shift in the landscape of international archery.
For Sharma, the victory was a deeply personal triumph. Coming from a modest financial background, she credited her success to the unwavering support of her family. She noted that her parents, who themselves represented India in the Olympic mixed team event, served as her ultimate inspiration.
"It feels very good. Winning a gold medal for India was my dream, and I have fulfilled it," Sharma said. "Although we come from a modest financial background, they always stood by me and never said no to anything I needed. I feel very lucky to have such supportive parents... They are champions themselves."
Archery: India's Most Successful Discipline
The collective performance of the Indian archery squad has solidified the sport's status in the country. By matching the record haul from the 2023 Hangzhou Games, the team has proven that India's dominance in archery is not a fluke but a growing powerhouse in the sport. The nine medals collected—comprising five golds—ensure that archery remains the crown jewel of India's multi-sport achievements at the Asian Games.