Aichi-Nagoya, 03 October (H.S.): Indian archer Neeraj Chauhan won the bronze medal in the men’s recurve individual event at the Asian Games 2026. In the bronze-medal contest, Neeraj defeated compatriot Dhiraj Bommadevara 6-4 to secure the podium finish. With the victory, Neeraj became only the second Indian male archer to win a medal in the individual recurve event at the Asian Games.

The contest between the two Indian archers was fiercely competitive. In the opening set, Dhiraj scored 7, 9 and 10, while Neeraj posted 10, 9 and 10. Neeraj won the set 29-26 to take a 2-0 lead.

Dhiraj made an impressive comeback in the second set. He scored 8, 10 and 10, while Neeraj managed 10, 8 and 9. Dhiraj won the set 28-27 to level the contest at 2-2.

In the third set, both archers opened with 10 points each and then scored 9 apiece with their second arrows. Dhiraj struck a 10 with his final arrow, while Neeraj managed 9. Dhiraj took the set 29-28 to move ahead 4-2.

Neeraj then produced a strong response. He shot three consecutive 10s in the fourth set to record a perfect 30, while Dhiraj scored 9, 9 and 10 for a total of 28. Neeraj won the set 30-28 to bring the match level at 4-4.

In the decisive fifth set, Dhiraj began with an 8, while Neeraj opened with a 10. Dhiraj responded with a 10 on his second arrow, but Neeraj scored 9 to retain his advantage. Both archers scored 10 with their final arrows. Neeraj won the set 29-28, taking the match 6-4 and securing the bronze medal.

Neeraj’s achievement is particularly significant as he became only the second Indian male archer to win a medal in the men’s individual recurve event at the Asian Games. Before him, Tarundeep Rai won the silver medal in the event at the 2010 Asian Games.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar