Asian Games archery: Indian recurve teams eye medals after reaching semis

India’s men’s and women’s recurve teams advanced to the Asian Games semifinals after defeating China and Chinese Taipei respectively. The compound men’s and women’s teams also reached the last four, while India’s recurve and compound mixed teams advanced to semifinals

Nagoya: Indian men’s and women’s recurve teams advanced to the semifinals at the Asian Games after registering contrasting quarterfinal victories at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square on Sunday.

The men’s team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Neeraj Chauhan and Yashdeep Bhoge defeated China 5-1 in the quarterfinals after beating the Philippines 5-1 in the round of 16.

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The women’s team of Kumkum Anil Mohod, Kirti Sharma and Ankita Bhakat also produced a dominant display, defeating Chinese Taipei 6-0 in the quarterfinals following a 6-0 win over Mongolia in the pre-quarterfinals.

Both Indian teams will play their semifinals on October 2. The men’s team will face Iran, while the women’s team will take on China.

India’s compound men’s and women’s teams also advanced to the semifinals after defeating Bhutan and Kazakhstan, respectively. Both teams will face South Korea in their respective semifinals on September 30.

The women’s compound team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep defeated Kazakhstan’s Roxana Yunussova, Viktoriya Lyan and Adel Zhexenbinova 233-230 in the quarterfinals.

The men’s compound team of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam beat Bhutan’s Kezang Norbu, Tshetum Gaytshey and Tandin Dorji 235-232.

The compound and recurve mixed teams also advanced to the semifinals.

The compound mixed team of Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav defeated Mongolia 160-146 in the round of 16 before overcoming Kazakhstan 159-154 in the quarterfinals.

The compound mixed team event assumes added significance with the discipline set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. One quota place is available at the Asian Games.

Meanwhile, the recurve mixed team of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Anil Mohod defeated the UAE 6-0 in the round of 16 before beating Vietnam 6-0 in the quarterfinals.

Overall, eight quota places for the LA28 Olympic Games are up for grabs at the Asian Games. Two quota places each are available in the men’s and women’s recurve individual events, while the recurve mixed team and compound mixed team champions will each earn one men’s and one women’s quota place.

India enjoyed its most successful Asian Games archery campaign at Hangzhou in 2023, winning a record nine medals — five gold, two silver and two bronze. The compound archers swept all five gold medals on offer, while the recurve teams contributed a silver and a bronze.