Indian recurve archers eye long-awaited revival at Asian Championships

After months of inconsistency and heartbreak, India’s recurve archers will be chasing redemption when the Asian Archery Championships begin in Dhaka on Sunday. Once a continental powerhouse, India now seeks to end a worrying medal drought and restore lost pride at the season’s final major event, one that also doubles as an early test before next year’s Asian Games in Japan.

India finished second overall in the last edition, largely due to the dominance of their compound archers, who bagged three golds, one silver, and three bronzes. The recurve contingent, however, returned empty-handed, a trend that continued through this year’s World Championships and the four World Cup stages, where they could manage only four medals (three bronze and one silver) and failed to qualify for the World Cup Final.

With South Korea, the traditional giants of archery, sending a second-string squad this time missing Olympic gold medallist Kim Woo-jin and world No.1 Kang Chae-young India’s recurve teams, especially the men, sensed a real chance to end the barren run.

Atanu Das returns to lead men’s charge

A major boost comes with the return of Atanu Das, former India No.1 and two-time Olympian, who topped the national selection trials. Das last featured in the Antalya World Cup in June and now joins Dhiraj Bommadevara, India’s top-ranked recurve archer, along with Yashdeep Bhoge, who makes his comeback after four years.

For Korea, 33-year-old Jang Chae-hwan leads a relatively young men’s team featuring Seo Mingi, Jang Jiho, and Kim Yechan, the Chengdu University Games gold medallist.

In women’s recurve, India banks on the experienced duo Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat, supported by Anshika Kumari and newcomer Sangeeta. With Korea resting its star trio Kang Chae-young, Lim Si-hyeon, and An San the Indian women have a golden opportunity to make a breakthrough.

Jawkar’s return highlights compound challenge

India’s best hopes still lie in compound archery, led by the seasoned Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the women’s team and Abhishek Verma in the men’s squad.

The spotlight, though, will be on Prathamesh Jawkar, the 22-year-old World Cup champion who returns to compound after briefly switching to recurve last year in pursuit of an Olympic berth. With compound archery now included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Jawkar’s comeback aims to revive his form after slipping to world No.105.

India’s men’s compound team Verma, Jawkar, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge will aim to improve on their bronze from the last edition, while the women’s team, missing defending champion Parneet Kaur, will rely on Jyothi’s leadership to defend their team gold from 2023.