The Indian men’s recurve archery team scripted history in Dhaka on Friday, defeating South Korea in a nail-biting shoot-off to capture their first Asian Archery Championships gold in 18 years. The trio of Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das, and Rahul pulled off a stunning 5-4 comeback victory against a talented Korean side, ending the latter’s long-standing dominance in the event since 2009. The win marked one of Indian archery’s most memorable triumphs on the continental stage.
India and Korea were tied at 4-4 after four intense sets, each displaying precision and poise under pressure. The match then went into a one-arrow shoot-off that decided everything. Both teams posted 29 points, but India were declared winners after Atanu Das, the two-time Olympian, delivered a perfect 10 that landed closer to the center than Korea’s final shot. The crowd erupted as India clinched their first men’s team gold at the Asian Championships since 2007, when Rahul Banerjee, now the coach, had been part of the champion squad.
The victory was particularly emotional for Banerjee, who won gold as an athlete 18 years ago and has now guided a new generation to glory from the sidelines. “It’s really fulfilling as a coach; we defeated Korea and didn’t choke this time. Atanu and I were talking last night about how long the wait for gold has been — and today we made it happen. The next target is the Asian Games,” Banerjee said after the final. His presence and mentorship have been pivotal in rebuilding India’s recurve program, which aims to challenge top nations consistently.
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The result caps a dominant showing for India at the continental event, where the team’s total medal tally rose to four golds and two silvers. India’s compound squad had already returned with three golds and two silvers earlier in the week, featuring standout performances from Jyothi Surekha Vennam, who completed a double by winning both the individual and team titles. The recurve men’s win now adds another golden chapter to India’s burgeoning success story in archery.
The final itself was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Korea started swiftly, taking the early lead at 4-2 after three sets, but India stormed back with a composed 57-53 win in the fourth to force the decider. The Korean side—featuring national trial topper Seo Mingi, University Games gold medallist Kim Yechan, and rising star Jang Jiho—proved formidable despite missing their Olympic legend Kim Woojin. However, India’s resilience and accuracy in the clutch moments underscored their growing confidence and maturity on the international stage.
With Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Sangeeta advancing to the women’s semifinals and the mixed and youth teams still in contention, India’s campaign in Dhaka promises more podium finishes. For now, though, the long-awaited recurve gold stands as a milestone victory — one that reaffirms India’s place among Asia’s archery elite.
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