Asian Games 2026: India’s young archery squad faces a fresh test – Preview

The Indian archery contingent will begin its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on September 26, with 12 archers competing across recurve and compound events.

Archery is one of India’s strongest medal prospects at the Asian Games, which are being held in Japan from September 19 to October 4. The competition will take place at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Okazaki, Aichi.

India won nine medals in archery at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, held in 2023, including five gold medals. Jyothi Surekha Vennam was among the standout performers, winning three gold medals in the women’s individual, women’s team and mixed team compound events.

What are the archery events at Asian Games 2026?

Archery at the 2026 Asian Games will feature two disciplines: recurve and compound.

The competition will have individual, team and mixed team events across both disciplines.

India has entered three archers each in the men’s and women’s recurve events and three each in the men’s and women’s compound events.

India’s archery squad for Asian Games 2026

Recurve

Men: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Neeraj Chauhan, Yashdeep Bhoge

Women: Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma, Kumkum Mohod

Compound

Men: Sahil Jadhav, Kushal Dalal, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru

Women: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep

The squad was selected following national trials in Sonipat. World Archery described the team as a new-look and youthful Indian squad, with Olympians Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat and reigning Asian Games champion Jyothi Surekha Vennam among its leading names.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam leads compound challenge

Jyothi Surekha Vennam will be one of India’s most experienced archers in Aichi-Nagoya.

The compound archer won three gold medals at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou and returns to defend her titles in Japan. She will compete alongside Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep in the women’s compound events.

The men’s compound team consists of Sahil Jadhav, Kushal Dalal and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru.

Dhiraj Bommadevara headlines recurve team

Jyothi Surekha Vennam will be one of India’s most experienced archers in Aichi-Nagoya.

The compound archer won three gold medals at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou and returns to defend her titles in Japan. She will compete alongside Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep in the women’s compound events.

The men’s compound team consists of Sahil Jadhav, Kushal Dalal and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru.

When will archery take place at Asian Games 2026?

The archery competition will be held from September 26 to October 3.

The ranking rounds for recurve and compound will take place on September 26, followed by team and mixed team elimination rounds on September 27. Individual compound events begin on September 28, while individual recurve events begin on September 29.

The compound medal rounds are scheduled for September 30 and October 1, while the recurve medal rounds will take place on October 2 and 3.

The archery competition will be held from September 26 to October 3.

The ranking rounds for recurve and compound will take place on September 26, followed by team and mixed team elimination rounds on September 27. Individual compound events begin on September 28, while individual recurve events begin on September 29.

The compound medal rounds are scheduled for September 30 and October 1, while the recurve medal rounds will take place on October 2 and 3.

India's record at the Asian Games

India's archers produced their best-ever Asian Games medal haul at Hangzhou 2023, winning nine medals — five gold, two silver and two bronze.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam accounted for three of the five gold medals, while India's men's compound and women's compound teams also finished on top of the podium.

The 2026 squad features only a few members of that successful team, making Aichi-Nagoya a fresh campaign for much of the Indian contingent.