Indian Archers Break 44-Year Dominance of Korea and China at Asian Games 2026

Historic Victory for Indian Archers

During archery competitions at the Olympics and Asian Games, the calm and composed nature of Korean and Chinese archers is often highlighted, even under immense pressure. However, this trend was disrupted at the Asian Games 2026 when Indian archers made their mark.

The Indian trio, consisting of Kirti Sharma, Ankita Bhakat, and Kumkum Mohod, triumphed over South Korea with a score of 5-3 in a challenging final held on Friday. This victory not only secured them the gold medal but also ended a 44-year reign of dominance by the Asian archery giants. Earlier, they had decisively defeated the Chinese team 5-1 in the semifinals.

Celebrating a Successful Campaign

This victory capped off an impressive campaign for India at the Asian Games, where the compound archers had previously claimed gold in the men's, women's, and mixed team events at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park.

Mental Fortitude: Kirti Sharma's Insights

Reflecting on the final's intense moments, Kirti Sharma emphasized the importance of mental strength in their performance. She stated, "We focused solely on our performance and the training process, rather than on our opponents."

"All three of us managed our emotions and trusted one another. We concentrated on giving our best without worrying about the outcome," she added.

Embodying the Haryanvi Spirit

Originating from Haryana, Kirti acknowledged that she drew upon the renowned Haryanvi fighting spirit throughout her journey to the title. "We understood that even a minor mistake could cost us the match. However, we remained resilient and sustained our intensity from the first arrow to the last," she remarked.

Motivation from Compound Archers

Training under coach Udham Singh at the SAI center in Hazaribagh, Kirti shared that the achievements of the compound archers inspired her and her teammates as they prepared for their challenging matches against China and South Korea. "Winning three consecutive gold medals was a significant boost for our confidence. It was a lucky day for India, and we were eager to replicate their success," she expressed.

"We were excited and could hardly wait for our event to commence."