Yadav’s Bronze Lone Highlight for India at World Games

At the World Games in Chengdu, China, India’s compound archery team faced a challenging day, with Rishabh Yadav’s bronze medal in the men’s individual event providing the only moment of pride. The top-seeded mixed team and women’s competitors failed to deliver, raising concerns about India’s preparation for future global competitions.

In the men’s individual compound event, 10th-seeded Rishabh Yadav outshone compatriot Abhishek Verma, a multiple World Cup gold medallist, to win the bronze medal match 149-147. Yadav started strongly, scoring three perfect 10s in the first end to lead 30-29. The second end was tied at 29-all, preserving his narrow advantage. Both archers achieved three perfect 10s in the third end, but Yadav capitalized on Verma’s one-point drop in the fourth to lead 119-117. In the final end, the 22-year-old maintained his composure, landing three more perfect 10s to secure the victory without dropping a point in his last nine arrows. In the semifinals, Yadav lost 145-147 to American Curtis Lee Broadnax, while Verma fell 145-148 to top seed Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands.

The women’s individual compound event saw India’s campaign end in the quarterfinals. Parneet Kaur, seeded 12th, was defeated 140-145 by Colombia’s fourth seed Alejandra Usquiano. Third seed Madhura Dhamangaonkar also exited, losing 145-149 to Estonia’s sixth seed Lisell Jaatma, leaving India without a women’s medal.

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The most significant disappointment came in the mixed compound team event, where India’s top-seeded duo of Abhishek Verma and Madhura Dhamangaonkar was eliminated in the first round by South Korea’s Moon Yeeun and Lee Eunho, 151-154. Despite leading the qualification round, the Indian pair struggled, losing the first end 38-37 and faltering in the second with a 27, trailing by four points. A tied third end (37-37) and a narrow win in the final end (40-39) were insufficient to recover. With only eight teams in the draw, two wins would have secured a medal, making this early exit particularly concerning as the mixed compound event prepares for its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, highlighting issues in pressure management and tactical execution.

Denmark’s Mathias Fullerton and Sofie Louise Dam Marcussen claimed the mixed team title, defeating Mexico 156-155. Fullerton emphasized the significance of the win, stating to World Archery, “The Olympics opens up so many things for funding and stuff like that. Denmark is a small country, but one of the best there is.” As the World Games concluded, Yadav’s bronze offered a glimmer of hope, but India’s overall performance underscored the need for strategic improvements ahead of the LA28 Olympics.

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