Indian Archers Secure Gold in Compound Mixed Team Event at Asian Games 2026
Victory for Indian Archers
Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav from India triumphed in the compound mixed team event at the Asian Games 2026, clinching the Gold medal after a nail-biting shoot-off against South Korea on Wednesday.
This victory not only awarded India a Gold medal but also secured a qualification spot for the compound mixed team event at the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Exciting Final Match Against South Korea
The final was a tense affair, with the Indian pair maintaining their composure to force a shoot-off after the scores were tied. They ultimately secured the Gold in a dramatic finish.
Chikitha and Sahil began the final on a high note, both scoring 10s in their initial shots. South Korea's archers, Park and Choi, matched their performance, resulting in a 20-20 tie after the first four arrows.
Continuing their strong performance, the Indian duo scored another two 10s each in the first end, finishing with a perfect 40. South Korea managed 39 points after Park shot a 9, giving India a narrow lead of 40-39.
In the second end, Park and Choi scored 39 out of 40, while Chikitha and Sahil maintained their consistency with four consecutive 10s each, leading 80-78 at the halfway mark.
As the final progressed, both teams showcased their skills. South Korea kept the pressure on, but India extended their lead to 100-98 after 10 shots.
After 12 shots, South Korea reached 117, while India faced a challenge as both Chikitha and Sahil scored 9s, narrowing their advantage.
In the final moments, Park and Choi opened with two 10s, putting India under pressure. Chikitha and Sahil responded with 10s, keeping India ahead by a single point. South Korea concluded their shots with a 10 from both archers, leaving India needing 19 points to tie and 20 to win. Chikitha scored a 9 on her last shot, while Sahil's 10 tied the match, leading to a shoot-off.
Crucial Shoot-off
During the shoot-off, both Chikitha and Park scored 10s, with Park's arrow landing closer to the center. Sahil also scored a 10, while Choi from South Korea needed at least a 9 to keep their hopes alive. Choi managed a 9, sealing the Gold medal for India.
India's Archery Achievements at the Games
This victory marks another Gold medal for India, contributing to an impressive archery campaign at the Asian Games 2026.
With this win, India has now secured eight Gold medals, bringing their total medal count to 54, which includes 21 silvers and 25 bronzes.
Earlier, the Indian women's compound archery team, featuring Prithika Pradeep, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Chikitha Taniparthi, also claimed gold by defeating China with a score of 238-234 in the final.