Indian compound archer Sahil Jadhav is drawing an unlikely source of motivation ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — a book by former Australian cricket all-rounder Shane Watson. The 25-year-old from Satara, who trains at SAI's National Centre of Excellence, Eastern Centre in Kolkata, has credited Watson's 'The Winner's Mindset' with sharpening his mental approach to high-pressure competition.

The Unlikely Inspiration

'I started reading a book called 'The Winner's Mindset' by Shane Watson around a month ago. My initial intent was to reduce the time I spent scrolling on my phone. However, I have received valuable knowledge on how to deal with pressure and keep myself focused during competitions,' Jadhav said in an interaction with SAI Media.

The crossover between archery and cricket may seem improbable, but mental conditioning — the core of Watson's book — is a discipline that transcends sport. For an archer who spent nearly a decade battling near-misses on the national circuit, the lessons landed with particular force.

Seven Years of Grit Before the Breakthrough

Jadhav's path to the top has been anything but straightforward. He took up archery relatively late, at the age of 19, and endured seven years of narrow defeats before winning his first national title. 'I took seven years to win my first medal at the national level. It was a test of patience and grit as every year I used to miss out by extremely small margins,' he said.

Through those difficult years, it was his family's unwavering support that kept him going. 'My family was extremely supportive. In fact, my family have sacrificed more than me. They stood by me during those difficult years and supported me in every way possible,' Jadhav said.

A Career on the Rise

The perseverance paid off. Jadhav won his first national gold at the senior nationals in 2024, followed by international recognition at the World University Games 2025, where he claimed the individual gold and a team silver. His biggest result to date came earlier this year — a bronze medal in the men's individual compound event at the Archery World Cup 2026 Stage 2 in Shanghai, China.

'As I stood on the podium, I thought about my parents, their sacrifices and all the struggle I had to undergo over these last few years,' he said.

The Asian Games Challenge: Closing the Margin

With the Asian Games 2026 starting in Aichi-Nagoya next month, Jadhav is clear-eyed about what India must do differently against powerhouses like South Korea, China, and Japan. 'The selection trial for the Indian squad is the toughest in the world. If we have managed to earn our spots in the Indian team, it means we have the potential to beat the best in the world. However, sometimes our archers choke under pressure, make minor errors or slip up by one or two points. We lost bronze medals at three World Cups in this manner,' he said.

Jadhav believes the solution lies in execution under pressure, not talent. 'We need to address this issue. If we give our 100 percent, there should be no problem,' he added.

SAI's Role in the Journey

Currently based at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, Jadhav has trained there for the past 3-4 years. 'Conditions here are perfect for training. We owe a lot to SAI since they take care of our training, lodging, food, equipment and other facilities. In fact, SAI is a crucial factor behind the international success I have achieved,' he said. The Asian Games represent the biggest international assignment of his career so far — and Jadhav appears ready for the moment.