Indian Archery Team Shines at Asian Games 2026 with Two Gold Medals
Coach's Reflections on Team Performance
Jiwanjot Singh Teja, the coach of the Indian archery team, expressed his pride in the team's achievements at the Asian Games 2026, where they secured two Gold medals. He emphasized the importance of building on this success to enhance their medal count compared to the last edition. The Indian archers triumphed in both the compound women's team and the compound mixed team events on Wednesday. Notably, their victory in the mixed team event also earned India a quota spot for the compound mixed team at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Jiwanjot remarked, "Our performance has been commendable. Winning two Golds is a significant achievement. In the previous Asian Games, we had a similar performance. Now, as our men's team prepares to compete and with individual medal matches scheduled for tomorrow, our goal is to surpass the nine medals we won last time and aim for at least ten this time, which would indicate that our preparations were more effective."
Managing Pressure and Athlete Mindset
Discussing the intense women's compound team final against China, where India showcased remarkable composure to clinch the Gold medal, Jiwanjot highlighted the importance of emotional management and understanding the athletes' mindset. He stated, "Every individual experiences tension to varying degrees. As a coach, you play multiple roles for the team—you are not just a coach but also a psychologist, and at times, you need to be like a parent." Jiwanjot further explained that recognizing the athletes' emotional states and assisting them in maintaining focus was vital during high-pressure moments. He added, "It's essential to be attuned to the archer's feelings and to know how to engage with them so they can translate their practice and dedication into successful outcomes. This approach has been key to our success in helping them achieve tangible results from their hard work."
Details of India's Gold Medal Wins
The Indian compound women's team, consisting of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Prithika Pradeep, triumphed over China with a score of 238-234 to secure the Gold medal. Additionally, Chikitha and Sahil Jadhav emerged victorious against South Korea in a shoot-off, claiming the title in the compound mixed team event.