Jyothi Surekha Vennam Focuses on Upcoming Competitions Ahead of Olympic Debut
Jyothi Surekha Vennam's Current Focus
Gold medalist archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam, who has excelled at the World Championships, expressed her intention to concentrate on the present as she prepares for the Asian Games and the World Cup final this year. With the introduction of compound archery at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, she remains excited but emphasizes her current goals.
In a virtual discussion organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Jyothi, alongside Indian men's recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara, shared her thoughts.
Having established her prowess with numerous medals at both Asian and world levels, Jyothi is now looking forward to the Olympic debut where compound archery will feature for the first time in a mixed team format.
Reflecting on her Olympic aspirations, she stated, "It's still two years away for me. While many are eager for me to represent India and secure a medal, my focus is on the Asian Games and the World Cup, which are immediate priorities. I aim to stay present and maintain my performance to hopefully qualify for the Olympics."
Record-Breaking Achievements
Last year, Jyothi, in collaboration with Rishabh Yadav, set a world record in mixed team compound archery during 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, she was named a member of India's 12-player squad for the Asian Games, commencing on September 19 in Japan. Jyothi will lead the women's compound team, which includes Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep.
Team Dynamics and Pressure Management
Discussing the pressure of competing in the Asian Games, where she has previously won three golds, a silver, and a bronze, Jyothi noted that the rigorous selection trials indicated the caliber of the selected archers. She 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 through are undoubtedly skilled archers. Consistent performance is key to being part of this team," she explained.
Jyothi emphasized the importance of teamwork and open communication within the squad, stating that all members, regardless of experience, are encouraged to share insights. "We are all open to suggestions, and the coaches are doing their utmost to support us. Together, we are progressing as a unit," she concluded.
Asian Games 2026: Indian Archery Team Composition
- **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.