Aichi-Nagoya, 30 September (H.S.): India’s women’s compound archery team produced a commanding performance at the Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday, winning the gold medal in the team event.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep and Chikitha Taniparthi defeated China 238-234 in the final to claim the title.

With the victory, India successfully retained the women’s compound team title at the Asian Games.

The Indian trio established control from the outset and maintained their advantage throughout the final. India led 60-58 after the first stage, extended the margin to 119-116 after the second and held a 178-175 advantage following the third stage. The Indian archers remained composed in the closing phase, repeatedly finding the centre of the target and denying China any opportunity to stage a comeback.

In the final round, Chikitha, Prithika and Jyothi produced successive 10s. China also registered three 10s in the closing stage, but India’s advantage was substantial enough to secure the gold medal.

The performance also saw India equal the world record set by South Korea at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

India had previously won silver in the event in 2018 and bronze in 2014. With their second consecutive Asian Games gold, the Indian women’s compound team have further strengthened their record at the continental showpiece.

Jyothi’s Experience and Distinguished Record

Jyothi Surekha Vennam, the most experienced member of the Indian team, has long been among the country’s leading compound archers. She has represented India internationally since 2011.

At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Jyothi won three gold medals, including titles in the individual, women’s team and mixed team events. She has also won team gold at the 2023 World Archery Championships and 11 gold medals across World Cup stages. At the Asian Outdoor Championships, she has claimed seven gold medals.

In recognition of her achievements, Jyothi was conferred the Arjuna Award in 2017.

Chikitha Makes Her Mark at a Young Age

Chikitha Taniparthi has established herself on the international stage at a young age. The Telangana archer made history at the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships in Winnipeg, winning the women’s under-21 individual compound title.

Coming from a farming family, Chikitha took up archery in the second grade, inspired by her father. She began pursuing the sport more seriously in 2018 and moved into the professional ranks in 2021.

She has since collected medals at the Asian Grand Prix as well as silver medals in team events at the 2025 and 2026 World Cup stages.

Prithika Marks a Major Milestone

Prithika Pradeep is regarded as one of the emerging talents in Indian compound archery. She took up archery as a hobby in the fifth grade and began professional training from the sixth grade.

After making her international debut in 2025, Prithika has already established an impressive medal record. Her achievements include two silver medals at the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships, two silver and one bronze medal across the 2025 and 2026 World Cup stages, and a gold and a silver at the 2025 Asian Outdoor Championships.

At the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships, Prithika won silver in the under-18 compound women’s individual event, while Chikitha captured the under-21 title.

Prithika trains at the Swarajya Archery Academy in Pune.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar