Aichi-Nagoya, October 23 (H.S.): Indian para archers Bhawna Choudhary and Pooja Jatyan created history on Friday by winning the silver medal in the women’s recurve doubles event at the 2026 Asian Para Games. The pair, who train at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat, advanced to the final to secure India’s first-ever medal in this event.

In the final, the Indian duo faced a formidable Chinese pair, who won 6-0 to claim the gold medal. China secured all three sets, winning each by two set points. The Indian archers scored 38 points in the first set, 35 in the second and 39 in the third, but were unable to overcome their opponents. They lost the three sets by scores of 31-38, 30-35 and 29-39, respectively, and had to settle for silver.

For Bhawna Choudhary, the competition marked her debut at the Asian Para Games. Winning silver at her first major international competition showcased her considerable potential. Hailing from Hisar in Haryana, Bhawna Choudhary competes in the women’s recurve open category and trains in Sonipat under the guidance of coach Monika Rawal. She has a physical disability that affects the use of her legs and torso.

Bhawna Choudhary has already delivered notable performances on the international stage. At the 2026 World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, she won gold in the women’s recurve open category. She also secured bronze medals in the mixed team and women’s team events at the same competition. At the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, she won gold in the mixed under-21 team event and silver in the women’s recurve under-21 open category. She has also claimed gold in the mixed team event and bronze in the women’s team event at the Asian Para Championships. At the 2026 National Para Archery Championships, she won silver in the women’s recurve open category.

Pooja Jatyan, who hails from Gurugram, is among India’s experienced para archers. She competes in the women’s recurve open and mixed team events and trains in Sonipat under coach Surinder Singh. Medical negligence during her childhood resulted in polio affecting her left leg, but she continued to pursue her passion for sport. Pooja made her international debut at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Pooja has an impressive record of achievements at the international level. She won silver medals at the 2022 Para World Championships and the 2023 Asian Para Championships. She also secured silver at the 2024 Para Fazza Cup. In the same year, she won two gold medals at a world-ranking tournament and represented India at the Paris Paralympics. She also won medals at the 2026 World Archery Para Series in Bangkok.

The achievement by Bhawna Choudhary and Pooja marks an important milestone for Indian para archery. While Pooja’s experience proved valuable to the team, Bhawna Choudhary’s silver-medal performance on her debut has raised expectations for her future in the sport.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar