Asian Games: Jyothi Leads Golden Charge as Chikhita and Prithika Shine in Archery

India’s women’s compound archery team began its Asian Games title defence in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, September 30, with Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikhita Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep combining experience and youth to secure another gold medal.

The Indian trio entered the competition with a reputation to protect after ending South Korea’s long-standing dominance at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Jyothi, in particular, had plenty to prove after surrendering her individual compound title to South Korea’s 14-year-old Kang Yeon-seo.

Jyothi has been one of India’s leading compound archers for years. A former national-level swimmer, she switched to archery at a young age and progressed rapidly.

At the 2023 Asian Games, she enjoyed a historic campaign, winning gold in the women’s individual, women’s team and mixed team events. She became the first Indian archer to win three gold medals at a single edition of the Games.

This time, she was joined by two rising stars in Chikhita and Prithika.

Chikhita’s introduction to archery came from her father, who encouraged her to try the sport after reading about it in a newspaper when she was in Class 2. She began formal training in 2018 and gradually established herself on the international circuit.

Her breakthrough arrived in 2025 at the World Archery Youth Championships in Winnipeg, where she won the Under-21 women’s individual gold. She became the first Indian woman to win that title.

Prithika first picked up archery as a hobby in Class 5. Her interest soon turned serious, leading her parents to arrange professional coaching from Class 6. She has since become an important member of India’s compound archery setup and has won seven international medals.

But all three archers had one objective in Nagoya — defend India’s Asian Games crown.

INDIA SURVIVE KOREA TEST

The road to the gold medal began with a high-pressure contest against South Korea.

The two teams could not be separated in the opening end, with both scoring 59. India then produced a stronger second end, scoring 59 against Korea’s 56 to establish a three-point advantage.

India scored 58 in the third end, but Korea could not capitalise. Both teams registered 58 in the final end, allowing India to hold on for a narrow 234-233 victory.

The result sent the defending champions into the final.

SIX PERFECT 10s SEAL GOLD

China awaited India in the gold-medal match, but the final proved far less dramatic than the semi-final.

India immediately found its rhythm, producing a string of 10s to win the opening end 60-58.

The defending champions maintained the pressure in the second end, again scoring 60 while China managed 58. India therefore carried a 120-116 advantage into the second half.

China tried to fight back, but India remained composed. The Indian trio entered the final end with a 178-176 lead.

The pressure finally told on China as two 9s opened the door for India. The Indian archers responded with a flawless final end, producing six straight 10s to close out the contest and retain their Asian Games crown.

Jyothi and Prithika were particularly clinical, repeatedly finding the centre of the target, while Chikhita contributed crucial scores throughout the final.

The gold also saw India match the world record.

For Jyothi, the triumph provided a strong response after losing her individual title. For Chikhita and Prithika, it marked another major step in their emergence on the international stage.

The trio’s gold-medal celebration brought an early highlight to India’s Asian Games campaign and gave the defending champions a perfect start to their archery title defence.