Indian Archers Shine at Asian Games: Secure Olympic Spot for 2028
In an exciting turn of events at the Asian Games, Indian compound archers Sahil Rajesh and Chikitha Taniparthi clinched the gold medal in the mixed team event on Wednesday, ensuring their place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. This triumphant moment came after a tense shoot-off against South Korea’s Choi Yonghee and Park Jungyoon.
India appeared to be comfortably heading towards victory with a strong lead, but a sudden slip allowed the South Korean archers to tie the score at 157-157, leading to a pressure-filled shoot-off. During this crucial moment, Sahil and Chikitha remained composed and each shot a perfect 10, putting pressure back on their opponents. Unfortunately for South Korea, one of their arrows landed in the 9-ring, handing India the gold medal and marking a remarkable day for Indian archery.
Beyond the glory of the Asian Games podium, this victory has significant implications as compound archery will make its Olympic debut in 2028. Winning the mixed team event at the Asian Games secured both a men’s and a women’s quota spot for the Olympics, making this win a key milestone for Indian archers.
Before the final, India faced a formidable challenge from the South Korean team, who had previously set a world record with their extraordinary score of 160 points. Despite this, Sahil and Chikitha started strong, achieving a perfect score of 80 out of 80 in the first two ends while their opponents fell behind with two dropped points.
Sahil’s supportive communication with Chikitha throughout the competition helped build their momentum. However, during the third end, both archers lost points, allowing South Korea to catch up and ultimately tie the scores. This twist transformed the final from a comfortable lead for India into a nail-biting shoot-off.
In the shoot-off, the stakes were high as both teams took their shots. India delivered an outstanding response with two perfect 10s, which shifted the pressure onto the South Korean archers. Their miss in the final seconds sealed India’s victory.
This accomplishment continues India’s strong performance in compound archery, which has been a successful discipline for the country at the Asian Games. This year, the win not only adds to India’s medal tally but also assures them a spot at the upcoming Olympics.
Meet Sahil Rajesh
Sahil’s journey in archery began nearly ten years ago when he was inspired by a neighbor. Starting in 2016, he trained at Drushti Archery Academy, developing from a novice to a competitive athlete. Throughout his journey, he faced financial challenges that almost caused him to quit, but with the unwavering support of his parents, particularly his father, he persisted. His continued dedication led to an international breakthrough in 2025, and now, the gold medal at the Asian Games represents the pinnacle of his achievements.
Meet Chikitha Taniparthi
Chikitha’s entry into archery was encouraged by her father when she was just in Class 2. Hailing from a farming family in Telangana, what started as a curious activity gradually evolved into a fervent passion. Chikitha began her professional journey in 2021 and achieved significant recognition by winning the Under-21 women’s individual gold medal at the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships, making history as the first Indian woman to do so. Her progress has solidified her position in the national compound archery team, and the success at the Asian Games marks another remarkable achievement in her young career.
With both Sahil and Chikitha’s remarkable talents, India can look forward to even greater things in the world of archery as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead at the 2028 Olympics.
