KTR, Harish Rao congratulate archer Chikitha, hail pilot Smit Machchhar

BRS leaders KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao congratulated Telangana archer Taniparthi Chikitha for winning two gold medals in women's compound team and mixed team events. Rama Rao also praised pilot Smit Machhar for reportedly averting a potential flydubai disaster after an alleged mid-air attack by a co-pilot.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao and BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao congratulated Telangana archer Taniparthi Chikitha for winning two gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games.

Rama Rao congratulated Chikitha for her victories in the women’s compound team and mixed team events, completing a golden double at the Asian Games. He said her mixed-team triumph with Sahil Jadhav also secured India’s quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “From Sultanpur village to the top of Asia, a proud moment for Telangana and India,” he said, wishing the young archer success.

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Harish Rao also congratulated Chikitha, who hails from Peddapalli, for her gold medals. He said Chikitha, Jyothi Surekha and Prithika Pradeep clinched gold in the women’s compound team event, while Chikitha and Sahil Jadhav won the mixed event. “A moment of immense pride for Peddapalli, Telangana and Indian archery,” he said, congratulating the champions.

Meanwhile, Rama Rao also hailed pilot Smit Machchhar for his bravery after reports that he averted a possible crash of an Israel-bound flydubai flight. He saluted the pilot’s bravery and prayed for his speedy recovery.

The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot reportedly stabbed Machchhar mid-air in an attempt to crash the aircraft. Machchhar was reported to be recovering at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.