CM Naidu hails AP's Ganesh Mani Ratnam in Asian Games archery gold
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu congratulated archers Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, Sahil Jadhav, and Kushal Dalal on winning gold in Men's Compound Archery at the 2026 Asian Games, lauding Ganesh's rise from Naidupeta to international glory.
Key Takeaways
India won the Gold Medal in Men's Compound Archery at the 2026 Asian Games .
The winning team comprised Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru , Sahil Jadhav , and Kushal Dalal .
India beat both South Korea and China — archery's top continental powers — on the way to gold.
Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru hails from Naidupeta , Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.
Chandrababu Naidu cited the achievement as an inspiration for young athletes across Andhra Pradesh .
From the small town of Naidupeta in Andhra Pradesh to the top of the podium at the 2026 Asian Games — Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru's journey is the kind of story that makes an entire state stop and cheer. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took to X on Wednesday, September 30 to congratulate Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, along with teammates Sahil Jadhav and Kushal Dalal, on clinching the Gold Medal in Men's Compound Archery at the Asian Games.
In his post, CM Naidu wrote: 'Holding their composure in high-voltage matches against South Korea and China shows true champion grit.' That framing matters — both South Korea and China are archery powerhouses with decades of continental dominance, making India's gold a result of steel nerves as much as precision technique.
Naidupeta to the podium: Ganesh Mani Ratnam's rise
CM Naidu specifically called out Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru's journey from Naidupeta — a modest town in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh — to international glory, describing it as 'a testament to what focus and hard work can accomplish.' It is an origin story that resonates well beyond archery: a small-town athlete, without the structural advantages of a metro academy, clearing the highest continental bar in the sport. Naidu framed this as an inspiration for 'thousands of young athletes across our state to dream big, and conquer world stages.'Why Naidu's message carries political and sporting weight
For Telugu Desam Party national president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, publicly celebrating this gold is both a matter of state pride and a signal of intent toward sports infrastructure. Indian state leaders have increasingly tied individual athletic achievements to broader narratives of talent development — and Naidu's pointed mention of Ganesh's hometown places grassroots nurturing at the centre of the story. The pattern is deliberate: when a state CM names the town, names the athlete, and names the rivals beaten, it transforms a national medal announcement into a local rallying cry. India's compound archery programme has steadily grown its Asian Games footprint over successive editions, and a gold against South Korea and China — the sport's traditional continental giants — marks a new high-water mark for the discipline in the country. For the young archers of Andhra Pradesh watching this moment unfold, the message from Amaravati is unambiguous: the podium is reachable.Point of View
Who has consistently sought to position Andhra Pradesh as a destination for investment and talent, attaching his state's identity to a landmark Asian Games result reinforces a broader image-building effort. The post also signals that grassroots athletes from non-metro towns remain central to India's Asian Games ambitions.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold in Men's Compound Archery at the 2026 Asian Games?
India's team of Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, Sahil Jadhav, and Kushal Dalal won the gold medal in Men's Compound Archery at the 2026 Asian Games.
Where is Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru from?
Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru is from Naidupeta, a town in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.
Which countries did India beat to win the archery gold at Asian Games 2026?
According to CM Chandrababu Naidu's post, India faced South Korea and China in high-voltage matches on the way to winning the gold medal.
What did CM Chandrababu Naidu say about the archery gold medal?
CM Naidu called it 'a moment of immense pride' and praised the team for holding their composure against South Korea and China, describing it as 'true champion grit.'
What is the significance of India winning compound archery gold at the Asian Games?
South Korea and China are traditionally the dominant forces in Asian archery, so a gold against both nations marks a significant milestone for India's compound archery programme.
