Aichi-Nagoya, 30 September (H.S.): As the Indian national anthem echoed across Aichi-Nagoya in Japan after Indian archers secured all three gold medals in the compound events at the 2026 Asian Games, months of meticulous preparation, training across varied weather conditions and mental conditioning through match-like simulations emerged as key elements behind the historic triumph.

At the centre of India's golden campaign was 25-year-old Sahil Rajesh Jadhav of Satara, Maharashtra, who claimed two gold medals on Wednesday and also secured a quota place for India in the mixed compound team event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Indian men's compound team of Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, Kushal Dalal and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumur won gold after defeating China 238-237. Shortly before that, Sahil and Chikita Taniparthi combined to beat South Korea in a shoot-off to clinch the mixed team gold medal.

Earlier in the day, the Indian women's compound team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikita Taniparthi and Prathika Pradeep defeated China 238-234 to secure gold. India's score matched the world record.

With the three victories, India swept all three gold medals on offer in the compound archery events at the Asian Games.

The unprecedented success was underpinned by carefully structured preparations at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centres of Excellence in Kolkata and Sonepat. Match-simulation sessions at Sonepat, designed to recreate competitive conditions, helped prepare the archers mentally, while training across different weather conditions in India and an acclimatisation camp in Japan exposed them to the conditions they were likely to encounter in competition.

Sahil's coach, Haresh Kumar, outlined the team's preparations over the past several months. Speaking to SAI Media, he said the archers deliberately trained in a range of weather conditions.

We trained in all kinds of weather. We practised in cold and rainy conditions at Shilaroo in Himachal Pradesh. After that, we trained at SAI Sonepat, where it was extremely hot. We arrived in Japan around 10-15 days before the Asian Games and trained in very strong winds. It is the result of Sahil's hard work that he was able to convert his efforts into gold medals, Kumar said.

After winning two gold medals, Sahil expressed his delight while acknowledging that there were further challenges ahead. Speaking to SAI Media via video call, he said, I am happy that I won two Asian Games gold medals and made my country and my parents proud. But there is still a lot left to achieve.

He added, I am happy that I was able to give my best today and also secured a quota place for the next Olympics.

Sahil, who trains at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, said he travelled to Japan with confidence in his ability. Every athlete wants to win a gold medal and give their best. I believed I had the ability to win gold. That is why I worked hard during training over the past several months. I knew I could do something special, he said.

His performance also delighted coach Haresh Kumar, who said his pupil successfully executed the strategic aspects they had worked on in training ahead of the Asian Games.

I am happy with all his shots because Sahil was able to execute all the strategies we had practised before the Asian Games. As a coach, Sahil has made me extremely proud, Kumar said.

He added, Sahil worked extremely hard during training. That is why he was able to turn his sweat and hard work into gold medals.

With Sahil's two gold medals and the Olympic quota secured in the mixed team event, September 30 became a landmark day for Indian compound archery at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Training across diverse weather conditions, acclimatisation in Japan and match simulations designed to replicate competitive pressure played a significant role in preparing the Indian archers for the challenges of the continental event.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar