Jyothi Surekha Vennam Focuses on Upcoming Competitions Ahead of Olympic Debut

Indian archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam, a World Championships gold medalist, is prioritizing her upcoming competitions, including the Asian Games and World Cup, over her Olympic aspirations. With the debut of compound archery in the 2028 Olympics, she remains focused on her current goals while expressing excitement for the future. Jyothi emphasizes the importance of teamwork and shared experiences within her squad as they prepare for the challenges ahead. Discover more about her journey and the Indian archery team's preparations for the Asian Games.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 27, 2026, 02:10 IST

Jyothi Surekha Vennam's Aspirations

New Delhi [India] - Indian archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam, who has clinched a gold medal at the World Championships, expressed her commitment to focusing on immediate goals rather than the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where compound archery will make its debut. Her current priorities are the Asian Games and the World Cup final scheduled for this year.

During a virtual interaction organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Jyothi, alongside Dhiraj Bommadevara, a recurve archer, discussed her journey. With a history of success at both Asian and world levels, she is now looking forward to the Olympic mixed team event featuring compound archery for the first time.

While she is excited about the prospect of competing in the Olympics, Jyothi emphasized that it feels like 'two years away.' She stated, 'We have been waiting for compound archery to be included in the Olympics for a long time. Many people want me to represent India and win a medal, but my focus remains on the Asian Games and the World Cup, which are my immediate goals.'

Last year, she set a world record in mixed team compound archery with Rishabh Yadav at the Archery World Cup stage 4 in Madrid, scoring 1,431 points, surpassing the previous record of 1,429 points held by Denmark's Tanja Gellenthien and Mathias Fullerton.

Recently, Jyothi was named to India's 12-member squad for the Asian Games, commencing on September 19 in Japan. She will lead the women's compound team, which includes Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep.

Reflecting on the pressure of competing in the Asian Games, where she has previously won three golds, a silver, and a bronze, she noted that the rigorous selection trials were a testament to the skill level required. Jyothi feels no pressure in her role as captain of the women's compound team.

'There is no pressure on me. The selection trials were tough, and those who made it have proven themselves as capable archers. Consistent performance is key,' she explained.

Jyothi highlighted the team's collective experience and openness to sharing insights, regardless of individual accomplishments. 'We are all willing to listen to each other. If I share my experience, a junior can also contribute ideas. We are all moving forward together,' she concluded.

Asian Games 2026: Indian Archery Squad

- Recurve Men: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Neeraj Chauhan, Yashdeep Bhoge

- Recurve Women: Kirti Sharma, Kumkum Anil Mohod, Ankita Bhakat

- Compound Men: Sahil Jadhav, Kushal Dalal, Thirumuru Ganesh Mani Ratnam

- Compound Women: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep.