ISRO's loss is Archery's gain: Gatha Khadake eyes Youth Olympics medal

At 15, Gatha Khadake lived through a dream when she lined up against her idol Lim Si-hyeon at the World Archery Championship round of 16 last year.

She failed to go past the South Korean archer, a three-time Olympic champion, in the pre-quarterfinals but the experience left a lasting impression on her.

"It was a milestone for me. I gained confidence when I played against my seniors and the famous archers we talk about. They are always calm and more focused, and that is one thing we need to learn,” Gatha told The Bridge.

For a teenager, who once dreamt of pursuing science and joining the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the feat affirmed that the archery podium is where she really belonged.

Early days and Youth Olympics medal hopes

Gatha will now represent India in the women’s individual recurve event at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. She is the only archer in the Indian contingent.

A total of 17 athletes will represent India in the fourth edition of the Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 13.

Hailing from Tembhurni in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, Gatha was introduced to archery by her parents, both ophthalmologists, with an aim to improve focus in studies.

Slowly, Gatha gained interest and started enjoying the sport before turning professional five years back.

Her mother Dipali Khadake gave up on her practice to accompany Gatha and set up her training base in Pune

Gatha's rise through the ranks has been rapid and she is now aiming for a medal at the Youth Olympics, although her preparations have largely centred on refining her technique and equipment.

Speaking of her preparations ahead of the games, Gatha said, “I just want to give my best, shoot my arrows and win a medal. There was not much preparation since I was in Korea attending a 15-day camp and then competing in the archery league. The focus was on equipment set up and shooting technique,” she informed.

Sharvari Shende had secured the quota with a gold at the World Archery Youth Championships last year. Gatha, too, had returned with two bronze medals in mixed and women’s team events. At the trials in Sonipat in June, Gatha emerged supreme.

“I am aiming better than last year, the timing was better. I was selected after trials in Sonipat,” she informed.

Indian archery on rise

She boasts of her performance this season. She registered a 690 plus score at the President Challenge Cup 2026, an invitational tournament.

“I haven’t competed at any major international tournament this year since I didn't qualify for the senior team. I was focusing on my training. I played an invitational tournament where I scored 691,” she said.

Gatha hasn’t been part of the senior team since the World Championships but that doesn’t stress the upcoming archer. She also feels that the sport is on a rise in the country.

“Indian archery is at its best right now. It is improving, especially in the last few years,” she asserted.

“Its not like we have to train more to make it to the team or exert ourself. We just have to be consistent irrespective of whether we are selected or not,” she added.