India beat South Korea 236-229 to reach men's compound team final at Asian Games
Synopsis
India's men's compound archery trio crushed South Korea 236-229 to reach the gold medal final against China in Okazaki — putting them on course for a third compound gold at these Asian Games. With a near-perfect display of 10s across all four ends, Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru are building on India's record nine-medal haul from Hangzhou 2023.
Key Takeaways
Kushal Dalal , Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru beat South Korea 236-229 in the men's compound archery semifinal at the Asian Games on 30 September .
India will face China in the gold medal final; South Korea plays Chinese Taipei for bronze.
A gold would be India's third compound gold at these Asian Games, following wins in the women's team and mixed team events.
India led after every end — 60-58 , 119-115 , 178-171 — and closed out 236-229 .
At Hangzhou 2023 , India won a record nine archery medals , with compound archers sweeping all five golds .
India's men's compound archery team of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav, and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru overpowered South Korea 236-229 on 30 September to advance to the men's compound team final at the Asian Games in Okazaki. The dominant victory was sealed at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square, setting up a gold medal clash against China.
How India Built the Lead
India stamped their authority from the very first end. While South Korea opened with an 8, 10 and 10, the Indian trio responded with a near-perfect set of 10s, taking an early two-point advantage. After End 1, India led 60-58, having matched Korea's recovery in the second rotation with their own perfect 10s.
Korea fumbled again at the start of End 2, registering an 8 followed by a 10 and 9. India continued their clinical display, hitting 10, 9 and 10 in the first rotation. Despite Korea shooting three 10s in the second rotation, India matched them to extend the lead to 119-115 after End 2.
India Extend Domination Through Final Ends
Korea's troubles deepened in End 3, where they opened with three consecutive 9s. India, meanwhile, continued to deal almost exclusively in 10s, stretching their advantage to 178-171 after a nine from Korea in the second rotation pegged the defending archery powerhouse further back.
In the final End 4, both teams shot two 10s and a nine in each rotation, with India sealing the match 236-229 — a commanding 7-point margin of victory. South Korea will compete in the bronze medal match against Chinese Taipei.
Third Gold in Sight for Indian Compound Archers
A gold in the final would be the third compound gold medal for India at these Asian Games, having already secured gold in the women's team and mixed team disciplines. The compound unit has been in devastating form throughout the tournament.
This comes amid India's rich recent history in Asian Games archery. At Hangzhou 2023, India recorded its most successful archery campaign ever, winning a record nine medals — five gold, two silver and two bronze. Notably, compound archers swept all five gold medals on offer, while the recurve teams contributed a silver and a bronze. A gold in Okazaki would reinforce that dominance.
What's Next
India will face China in the men's compound team gold medal final, a contest expected to be among the highest-profile archery bouts at these Games. The Indian trio enters the final on the back of a flawless semifinal performance that leaves little doubt about their medal credentials.
Point of View
And the manner of this semifinal win, built on relentless 10s that left South Korea gasping, suggests the final against China is genuinely contested rather than a formality. What mainstream coverage underplays is the structural depth behind these results: India's compound programme has been quietly professionalised over the past decade, and the Hangzhou blueprint — total compound gold domination — is being replicated point for point in Okazaki. The real question is whether this consistency translates into World Championship and Olympic recognition, given compound's continued exclusion from the Olympic programme.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India qualify for the men's compound team archery final at the Asian Games?
Yes. India's trio of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru beat South Korea 236-229 on 30 September to advance to the men's compound team final at the Asian Games in Okazaki. They will face China for the gold medal.
Who are the three Indian archers in the men's compound team?
The Indian men's compound team consists of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru. The trio produced a near-perfect display of 10s across all four ends to defeat South Korea by seven points.
Who will India face in the men's compound team final?
India will face China in the gold medal final. South Korea, beaten by India in the semifinal, will compete against Chinese Taipei for the bronze medal.
How many compound gold medals has India won at these Asian Games?
India has already won two compound gold medals — in the women's team and mixed team events. A win in the men's team final would make it three compound golds at these Asian Games.
What was India's best-ever Asian Games archery performance?
India's best-ever archery haul came at Hangzhou 2023, where they won a record nine medals — five gold, two silver and two bronze. Compound archers swept all five gold medals on offer, while the recurve teams added a silver and a bronze.
