Post by : Maya Rahman

In a thrilling match held in Dhaka on Friday, November 14, 2025, the Indian men's recurve team achieved a remarkable feat by defeating South Korea and securing their first gold at the Asian Archery Championships in 18 years. Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das, and Rahul exemplified resilience, rallying from a 2-4 deficit to win 5-4 in a nail-biting shoot-off against a highly skilled Korean team.

Both teams scored 29 in the shoot-off, but India clinched the victory when Atanu Das shot a perfect 10, placing it closest to the center. Although Das had faced an early exit in the individual competition, he played a crucial role in the team's victory. This landmark win reestablishes India's presence in archery, marking their first men's team gold at the Asian Championships since 2007.

India’s success in the men’s recurve event adds to their impressive tally in the championships, with four golds and two silvers already secured. On the previous day, November 13, 2025, the compound team brought home three golds and two silvers, highlighted by Jyothi Surekha Vennam's dual victories in both the team and individual compound events.

This victory held special significance for men's recurve coach Rahul Banerjee, who was also part of the triumphant 2007 team. Guiding his team to glory nearly two decades later, Banerjee commended his athletes, particularly Atanu Das for his essential role during the final. He reflected on breaking Korea’s long-standing hold and voiced aspirations for success at the upcoming Asian Games.

Despite the absence of Olympic champion Kim Woojin, South Korea's lineup featuring Seo Mingi, Kim Yechan, and Jang Jiho showcased formidable skills. Banerjee noted that even without their top players, the Korean team remained a tough competition, underscoring the significance of India’s victory.

The final match saw dramatic shifts; Korea led 2-4 after a strong performance in the third set, while India faced challenges with four 8s. However, the Indian squad rebounded in the fourth set, scoring 57-53 to level the match at 4-4, setting the stage for the decisive shoot-off, where Atanu Das's crucial 10 sealed the memorable victory for India.

In addition to the men’s win, India’s women’s team and mixed team, along with Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the individual compound category, also emerged victorious. The men’s team earned a silver in earlier rounds, while 17-year-old Prithika Pradeep was awarded silver in her event. Ongoing individual recurve matches feature Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and newcomer Sangeeta reaching the semifinals for the women’s category, with Dhiraj Bommadevara and Rahul Das advancing in the men's draw.

With outstanding performances in both recurve and compound events, India is well-positioned for continued success as the Asian Archery Championships progress. The men's recurve team's victory against South Korea provides a boost to morale and highlights the exceptional talent emerging from Indian archery. Coach Rahul Banerjee and his team now look ahead to the Asian Games with renewed confidence.

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