India Men’s Recurve Team Wins First Asian Gold in 18 Years

The Indian men’s recurve team delivered a spectacular performance to defeat South Korea and win its first Asian Archery Championships gold in 18 years. The match took place in Dhaka on Friday, November 14, 2025. Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das, and Rahul staged a thrilling comeback from 2-4 down to claim a 5-4 shoot-off victory over a strong Korean side. This triumph ended South Korea’s long-standing dominance in the event, last broken by India in 2007.

Both teams scored 29 in the shoot-off, but India emerged victorious as Atanu Das delivered a perfect 10 closest to the center. Das, a two-time Olympian, had exited early in the individual event but anchored the decisive shot for the team. The victory marked India’s first Asian Championship men’s team gold since 2007, bringing renewed pride and joy to the archery fraternity.

India’s gold in the men’s recurve team event added to an already successful campaign. The country now boasts four golds and two silver medals at the championships. The compound archers had already won three golds and two silvers on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Notably, Jyothi Surekha Vennam achieved a memorable double by winning both the team and individual gold in compound events.

The victory was particularly emotional for men’s recurve team coach Rahul Banerjee, a member of the 2007 gold-winning team. Eighteen years after winning the title as an athlete, Banerjee guided his team to triumph as a coach. He praised his proteges, including Atanu Das, who played a key role in the final. Banerjee expressed satisfaction at finally breaking Korea’s dominance and set the Asian Games as the next target.

Though South Korea competed without Olympic champion Kim Woojin, their team remained formidable. Seo Mingi, Kim Yechan, and Jang Jiho formed a talented trio, with strong international and university-level experience. Banerjee emphasized that the Korean archers, though not their top three, were among their next best, making India’s victory even more significant.

The final match had several twists. Korea led 2-4 after a sharp 57 in the third set, while India struggled with four 8s. However, the Indian team bounced back in the fourth set, scoring 57-53 to level the match at 4-4. The shoot-off then became the defining moment, with Atanu Das delivering the crucial 10 that sealed India’s historic win.

India’s women’s team, mixed team, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the individual compound category secured gold medals. The men’s team also won silver in earlier rounds, while 17-year-old Prithika Pradeep earned silver in her category. Individual recurve events are still ongoing, with Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and rookie Sangeeta reaching the women’s semifinals. Dhiraj Bommadevara and Rahul Das advanced to the last four in the men’s draw.

With a strong showing in both recurve and compound events, India is poised for more success as the Asian Archery Championships continue. The men’s recurve team’s victory over South Korea serves as a morale boost and highlights the rising talent in Indian archery. Coach Rahul Banerjee and his team now set their sights on performing strongly at the upcoming Asian Games.