Indian archery contingent won nine medals—five of them gold at Asian Games 2026. The team also won two silver and an equal number of bronze medals to stamp their authority at the continental games.  

By invitation

As the curtain came down on the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Indian archery returned home with a rich haul of nine medals—five of them gold. The Indian archers also won two silver and an equal number of bronze medals to stamp their authority at the Asian Games 2026. The outstanding performance at continental games also set the ball rolling for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Behind each medal won at the continental games is a story of courage and sacrifice. The Indian archers thrived under pressure and remained steady throughout the high voltage competition to emerge victorious in their respective events. An extraordinary performance at the Asian Games 2026, indicates an ecosystem that has truly come of age.

Indian compound archers

The Indian compound archers were successful in winning all three team titles—men, women’s and mixed— for the second consecutive time at the Asian Games. What was more heartening, the women’s compound team equalled the world record on their way to the gold medal. The mixed compound pair were also impressive, and secured a quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The mixed compound event will feature at the Olympic Games for the first time. Winning quota this year will give ample time for the Indian team to prepare for the sporting extravaganza to be held in the USA in 2028.

India outplayed Korea

The Indian recurve archers also stamped their authority at the Asian Games, outplaying powerhouse Korea. The Indian women’s recurve team ended Korea’s long reign of winning seven successive Asian Games titles. The pair of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Anil Mohod were equally impressive and won silver in mixed recurve event, India’s first medal at the Asian Games. The men’s recurve team earned a second consecutive silver.

India’s 17 years old Kumkum Anil Mohod was cynosure of all eyes at the Asian Games as she held her nerve to win historic individual gold and secure an Olympic berth for India. The promising archer from Maharashtra remained calm under pressure to showcase India’s growing stature at the continental arena.

Sustained efforts

Sustained efforts of the Archery Association of India (AAI) and other stakeholders over a long period of time have enabled young Indian archers to deliver when it mattered the most. The outstanding feat of the Indian archers at the Asian Games will certainly inspire the young generation of players across the country to further strengthen the foundation.

Regular international exposure and modern infrastructure at the coaching camps primarily gave the core group of archers a big advantage at the Asian Games 2026. Moreover, the Indian archers adapted to the local weather conditions prevailing at the time of the competition during the Asian Games 2026. This speaks volumes of their mental strength to withstand off the field issues.

Khelo India project

This transformation would be incomplete without acknowledging the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji. Under his stewardship, sports moved from the periphery to national priority. The Khelo India project launched by the government has unearthed talent from every nook and corner of the country. Under the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) elite athletes avail good facilities to prepare for major international competitions. Above all, the Prime Minister’s close association with the sportspersons is encouraging more and more youngsters to take up sports.

Sports culture

As a sports administrator, I have witnessed several international competitions, including the Olympic Games. But the Asian Games 2026 was the most memorable. The Hon’ble Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya was constantly in touch with the Indian contingent to know the well-being of the players in Japan. All this indicates that sports culture is growing under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.

Collective efforts

The medals won at the Asian Games 2026, was the result of collective efforts by the coaches, support staff and above all parents who have worked tirelessly behind the scene to support the players.

The performance at the Asian Games 2026 indicates that our archers are on the right path to excel at the 2028 Olympic Games.

By Virendra Sachdeva, Secretary General, Archery Association of India.

EOM