Indian Archers Hit Bullseye with Men's Compound Gold at Asian Games
Sahil Jadhav, Kushal Dalal, and Ganesh Mani Ratnam clinch gold for India in a thrilling archery final against China at the Asian Games 2026.
In a breathtaking display of precision and nerves of steel, the Indian men's compound archery trio of Sahil Jadhav, Kushal Dalal, and Ganesh Mani Ratnam secured a magnificent gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The victory marked a historic hat-trick of gold medals for India in the compound archery categories, as the team edged out archer powerhouse China in a nail-biting final on Wednesday.
A Thrilling Battle Against China
The final was a high-stakes encounter that saw India and China trading blows shot for shot. India eventually emerged victorious with a score of 238-237, clinching the title in the final moments of the match. The contest was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams displaying world-class accuracy.
China initially took control, starting with three perfect 10s. India faced early pressure when Kushal Dalal hit a nine, leaving the team trailing. Even as the match progressed into the second rotation, China maintained a slim lead. At the halfway mark, China held a 120-118 advantage. However, the Indian trio refused to back down, mounting a relentless comeback.
Sahil Jadhav: The Man of the Match
The hero of the hour was undoubtedly Sahil Jadhav. In a display of absolute perfection, Sahil maintained a 100 per cent record of hitting 10s throughout the crucial stages of the final. As the pressure reached its peak in the final end, Sahil's final shot was a perfect 10, helping India overtake China in a dramatic finish.
The journey to the final was equally impressive. Before facing China, the Indian trio had defeated South Korea in the semifinals with a score of 236-229, setting the stage for this golden hat-trick.
India's Dominance in Compound Archery
The men's victory completes a golden sweep for India in the compound archery events at the 2026 Asian Games. The team's success follows two other major gold medal wins earlier in the tournament:
- Women's Compound Team: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Prithika Pradeep secured gold by equaling the world record score of 238, defeating China.
- Mixed Team Event: Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav clinched gold in a tense shoot-off against South Korea, also securing an Olympic qualification quota for Los Angeles 2028.
Medal Tally Update
With this latest gold, India's medal haul at the Asian Games 2026 has reached significant heights. The nation has now secured:
- 10 Gold Medals
- 27 Silver Medals
- 21 Bronze Medals
The clinical performance of the Indian archers continues to be a highlight of the games, cementing their status as a global force in the sport.