Indian Recurve Men Make History with Asian Archery Championship Gold
In a historic triumph for Indian archery, the men’s recurve team defeated archery giants South Korea in a heart-stopping shoot-off to claim gold at the Asian Archery Championships 2023. This victory ends India’s 18-year wait for a recurve men’s team gold, last achieved in 2005. The trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav held their nerve against the formidable Koreans, displaying unmatched precision under pressure.
Thrilling Final: India Edges South Korea in Shoot-Off
The championship final was a classic underdog story. South Korea, the reigning powerhouse in archery, entered as heavy favorites. However, India forced a shoot-off after a 5-5 tie in regulation.
In the decisive shoot-off, the Indian archers delivered a near-perfect 29/30, while South Korea scored 27. The victory marked a rare instance of Korea’s shoot-off dominance being broken.
Breaking 18 Years of Drought: A Redemption Arc
India’s last recurve men’s team gold at this event came in 2005, with Tarundeep Rai being the sole link between the two winning squads. At 39, Rai’s leadership and experience were pivotal in guiding younger teammates Bommadevara and Jadhav.
“This win is for the entire country,” Rai said post-match. “We knew we had to be perfect—and we were.”
A New Dawn for Indian Recurve Archery?
While India has excelled in compound archery, recurve—the Olympic discipline—has lagged. This gold could herald a resurgence ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dhiraj Bommadevara, 21, emerged as a standout performer, showcasing elite consistency. Meanwhile, Pravin Jadhav (Tokyo Olympian) reinforced his reputation as a clutch performer.
Road to Paris 2024: Can India End Olympic Archery Medal Drought?
With this win, India signals its readiness to compete with the world’s best. The nation’s only Olympic archery medal came in 1972 (Limba Ram), but this team has reignited hope.
Coach Sergio Pagni, a former world champion, credited the victory to “belief as much as skill.”
A Proud Moment for Indian Sports
This triumph adds to India’s growing global sports success, following achievements in javelin, hockey, and badminton. As the national anthem played, it marked not just the end of an 18-year wait, but possibly the start of a new era.
