Rishabh Yadav's Journey: From World Champion to Olympic Aspirant

Rishabh Yadav, India's gold medalist archer, reflects on his remarkable 2025 season and his aspirations for the upcoming Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics. With significant achievements, including a world record and a career-high ranking, Yadav emphasizes the importance of consistent training and global learning in archery. He shares insights on the support from the Inspire Institute of Sport and the positive impact of the Archery Premier League on the sport in India. As he prepares for future competitions, Yadav remains focused on his Olympic dream, viewing each milestone as a step towards success.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 21, 2026, 20:59 IST

Reflecting on a Stellar 2025 Season

Rishabh Yadav, the gold medalist archer from India, shared insights about his remarkable 2025 season in compound archery. He emphasized that his achievements and the records set during international competitions are a testament to his rigorous training. With the mixed team event making its debut in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Yadav sees his current successes as stepping stones towards winning an Olympic medal. The 23-year-old had a phenomenal year, securing both gold and silver medals in the men's compound and team events at the World Archery Championships. He also set a world record in mixed team compound archery with Jyothi Surekha Vennam during the Archery World Cup stage 4 in Madrid, achieving a personal best world ranking of fourth in men's compound archery. In a conversation, he remarked, "Winning gold in the mixed team event in Florida made us realize that India is yet to secure an Olympic medal in archery. This was a strong start for us, leading to further successes in subsequent competitions, including the world championships, which is the pinnacle of our sport."

Aiming for the Asian Games with IIS Support

Discussing his aspirations for the year, Yadav highlighted the importance of the upcoming Asian Games and the support he receives from the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Karnataka. He stated, "The Asian Games are a significant event this year, especially since the World Championships occur biennially. The IIS provides exceptional strength and conditioning facilities, allowing me to focus on my training without distractions. The high-performance center offers comprehensive support, including nutrition, sports science, and medical assistance, all aimed at enhancing my performance."

"The insights gained from the IIS are invaluable. They help me maintain consistency and strategize for the future, particularly for the 2028 Olympics, ensuring I maximize my energy for optimal results," he added.

Personal Journey and Inspirations

Yadav recounted how he was introduced to archery by a school friend, having initially been a football player. The ability to see the direct results of his efforts in an individual sport drew him to archery. He also mentioned his admiration for ace archer Abhishek Verma, stating, "I aspired to emulate him. Our decade-long journey in archery has been thrilling, and I still have much to achieve. These motivations keep me driven and enjoying my path in the sport."

Learning from Global Archery Trends

Yadav emphasized the importance of learning from various successful archery nations rather than fixating on just a couple. He explained, "Every country has strengths and weaknesses in sports. We should adopt the best practices from all nations instead of solely focusing on one or two. This global perspective is crucial as Indian archery continues to grow, and the world is taking notice of our progress."

The Impact of the Archery Premier League

He also discussed the positive influence of the inaugural Archery Premier League (APL) on the Indian archery landscape, where he represented the Chola Chiefs. "The APL was an excellent experience. Competing alongside a five-time Olympic medalist like Brady Ellison allowed me to learn from his strategies and leadership during high-pressure situations. This exposure is invaluable for young archers, as they gain insights from seasoned players," he noted.

"The league has encouraged more juniors to participate, providing them with opportunities to share the stage with international talent. Our federation is committed to establishing a fixed date for the league in the World Archery calendar, which has made archery a global sensation and strengthened grassroots participation," he added.

Steps Towards the Olympic Dream

Reflecting on the excitement within the Indian archery team as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Yadav stated, "Every record achieved serves as a benchmark for our execution during competitions. Our performances mirror our preparations. The upcoming Asian Games and next year's World Championships are crucial milestones on our journey to the Olympics. These are the small steps we must conquer to build confidence and pursue our Olympic dreams effectively."