Sonowal hails India's archery gold in Compound Men's Team
Synopsis
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal congratulated archers Kushal Dalal, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru on winning the Compound Men's Team gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, calling it 'a proud moment for Indian archery and the entire nation.'
Key Takeaways
India won gold in the Compound Men's Team archery event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The winning trio comprised Kushal Dalal , Sahil Rajesh Jadhav , and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru .
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal posted congratulations on X on September 30, 2026 .
The result was hashtagged #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianGames2026 by the minister.
Sonowal is a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Assam serving as Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Three arrows, one gold. Kushal Dalal, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru delivered a defining moment for Indian archery at the 2026 Asian Games, clinching the top podium in the Compound Men's Team event — and the congratulations came swiftly from the top.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal took to X on Wednesday, September 30 to salute the trio's achievement, writing: 'Golden glory in archery! Heartiest congratulations to Kushal Dalal, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru on clinching the Gold medal in the Compound Men's Team event. A proud moment for Indian archery and the entire nation.'
India's compound archers strike gold at Aichi-Nagoya
The 2026 Asian Games, hosted by Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, mark the latest chapter in India's growing ambition on the continental multi-sport stage. The Compound Men's Team gold adds to the narrative of Indian archery steadily asserting itself against formidable Asian competition, particularly from South Korea and China, who have historically dominated the discipline.
Compound archery — distinct from the recurve format seen at the Olympics — demands extraordinary precision at fixed distances, with archers shooting at a smaller inner ring. Team events amplify the pressure: a single shaky release from any one member can cost the squad the match. That Dalal, Jadhav, and Thirumuru held their nerve to win gold underscores the depth and cohesion India has been quietly building in the format.
A minister's salute — and what it signals
Sonowal, a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Assam, has been a consistent voice amplifying India's sporting milestones. His post, tagged #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianGames2026, reflects the broader practice among Union ministers of publicly celebrating continental victories — keeping national morale tied to on-field performance and reinforcing the government's visible support for Indian sport.
For the Indian contingent, a gold in archery early in the Games calendar can set the tone — momentum matters at multi-sport events, and the compound team's result puts Indian supporters on notice: more may follow.
Point of View
Where the competition ceiling is high but the international attention is lower — making podium finishes more achievable stepping stones. Union ministers publicly amplifying such results is a calculated signal that the government's sports-support narrative extends beyond marquee Olympic events. For the three archers, a continental gold is strong currency for future national selection and sponsorship. The broader question is whether compound archery's exclusion from the Olympic programme will eventually prompt a policy push to prioritise recurve alongside it.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Compound Men's Team archery gold at Asian Games 2026?
India's Kushal Dalal , Sahil Rajesh Jadhav , and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru won the Compound Men's Team gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The 2026 Asian Games are being hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
What is compound archery?
Compound archery uses a mechanically assisted bow with cams and pulleys, allowing archers to hold the draw with less effort and shoot with exceptional precision at a smaller target ring, unlike the recurve format used in the Olympics.
Why did Sarbananda Sonowal congratulate the archers?
Sarbananda Sonowal , Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and a senior BJP leader, posted congratulations on X as part of the government's standard practice of publicly celebrating Indian athletes' victories at major continental and international events.
Is compound archery an Olympic event?
No. Compound archery is not currently part of the Olympic programme; the Olympics feature only the recurve format. However, compound archery is contested at the Asian Games and other major continental events.
