Indian Men's Recurve Team Secures Gold After 18-Year Wait

In a remarkable display of skill, the Indian men’s recurve team claimed gold at the Asian Archery Championships, defeating South Korea in a nail-biting final. This victory, which took place in Dhaka on November 14, 2025, marks India’s first championship title in this category since 2007. Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das, and Rahul executed an impressive comeback from a 2-4 deficit, ultimately winning 5-4 in a shoot-off against their Korean rivals.

Both teams scored 29 during the shoot-off, but India triumphed as Atanu Das delivered a perfect 10, placing it closest to the bullseye. Although Das had an early exit in the individual round, he proved to be a crucial asset for the team. This gold win brings renewed enthusiasm to the archery community in India, marking a significant achievement in the country’s sports history.

India’s achievement in the men’s recurve event adds to their impressive medal tally, with the nation securing four golds and two silvers overall at the championships. Previously, the compound archers captured three golds and two silvers on November 13, 2025. Jyothi Surekha Vennam notably earned a remarkable double, winning both the team and individual gold in the compound categories.

For coach Rahul Banerjee, this win holds special significance as he was part of the gold-winning team in 2007. Eighteen years later, Banerjee led his team to victory, commending his players, particularly Atanu Das, for their crucial performances. He expressed his joy at ending the Korean dominance in this event and set his sights on the upcoming Asian Games.

Despite South Korea lacking Olympic champion Kim Woojin, their team was still formidable, featuring Seo Mingi, Kim Yechan, and Jang Jiho, all experienced archers. Banerjee noted that even without their stars, the Korean squad presented a significant challenge, making India’s victory noteworthy.

The final match was filled with suspense as Korea initially took a 4-2 lead after a strong performance in the third set. Nevertheless, India fought back, scoring 57-53 in the fourth set to level the match at 4-4 before the decisive shoot-off, where Das clinched the historic win.

The Indian women’s team, alongside the mixed team, also secured gold medals, and 17-year-old Prithika Pradeep earned silver in her category. As individual recurve matches continue, Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and newcomer Sangeeta have all advanced to the women’s semifinals, while Dhiraj Bommadevara and Rahul Das are through to the men’s semifinals.

With an exhilarating performance across both recurve and compound events, India is set for further success as the championships progress. The victory by the men’s recurve team against South Korea stands as a testament to the burgeoning talent in Indian archery, as Coach Rahul Banerjee and his squad gear up for the Asian Games ahead.