Asian Games 2026: Ganesh Ratnam reaches compound men's quarters, Indian teams surge
Synopsis
India's compound archers are surging at the Asian Games in Nisshin — Ganesh Mani Ratnam reached the individual quarterfinals with a razor-thin win over compatriot Sahil Jadhav, while India's men's, women's, and mixed compound teams all advanced to the semifinals. With an LA28 Olympic quota on the line in the mixed event, Tuesday's results could be among the most consequential in Indian archery history.
Key Takeaways
Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru beat compatriot Sahil Jadhav 149-148 to reach the compound men's individual quarterfinals at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park, Nisshin .
Ganesh will next face Chinese Taipei's Chieh-lun Chen in the quarterfinals on Thursday .
India's compound men's team (Dalal, Jadhav, Ratnam) beat Bhutan 235-232 ; women's team (Vennam, Taniparthi, Pradeep) beat Kazakhstan 233-230 — both face South Korea in semifinals on 30 September .
The compound mixed team of Taniparthi and Jadhav is also in the semifinals after wins over Mongolia ( 160-146 ) and Kazakhstan ( 159-154 ).
One LA28 Olympic quota place is available in the compound mixed event, raising the stakes of India's semifinal run.
Indian archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru edged through the Round of 16 at the Asian Games on Monday, defeating compatriot Sahil Jadhav by a single point to advance to the compound men's individual quarterfinals at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Nisshin. The narrow 148-149 verdict — with Ganesh on the winning side — sets up an all-important clash against Chinese Taipei's Chieh-lun Chen in the quarterfinals.
How the Round of 16 Unfolded
Ganesh had kicked off his individual campaign with a 144-142 win over Indonesia's Sostar Andaru Rinaldi in the Round of 32, before outduelling Sahil in a closely contested all-Indian duel. Sahil, who had recorded the highest score among Indian compound men in the qualification round, had himself progressed comfortably after beating Mongolia's Jamiyangombo Purevdorj 149-137. The Indian head-to-head, while dramatic, reflects the depth the country has built in compound archery.
Indian Teams Reach Archery Semifinals
Beyond the individual contest, India's compound teams have made a commanding collective statement. The compound men's team of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav, and Ganesh Mani Ratnam edged Bhutan's squad 235-232 in the quarterfinals, while the compound women's team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Prithika Pradeep overcame Kazakhstan 233-230. Both teams will face a formidable South Korea in their respective semifinals on 30 September.
Mixed Teams Also Through to Last Four
India's compound mixed team of Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav also advanced to the semifinals, first beating Mongolia 160-146 in the Round of 16 and then eliminating Kazakhstan 159-154 in the quarterfinals. Notably, the recurve mixed team has also secured a place in the last four, rounding off a strong day of multi-format progress for Indian archery.
Olympic Quota on the Line in Compound Mixed
The compound mixed team competition carries particular significance at this edition. With the discipline confirmed to make its historic Olympic debut at the LA28 Games, one Olympic quota place is available through the Asian Games, adding a high-stakes dimension to India's semifinal run. This is the fourth consecutive Asian Games at which India's compound archers have emerged as genuine medal contenders.
What Comes Next
The compound men's individual quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday, where Ganesh faces Chinese Taipei's Chen. Both the men's and women's compound teams meet South Korea in their respective semifinals on 30 September. A strong finish could see India accumulate multiple medals — and potentially a coveted LA28 quota — in a single campaign.
Point of View
Which is a different proposition entirely. The simultaneous run of all three compound team events to the semifinals, combined with Ganesh Ratnam's individual progress, suggests a depth and bench strength that Indian archery has rarely displayed at a continental championship. The real test, however, is South Korea — the benchmark for compound archery in Asia. How India fares against them on 30 September will reveal whether this is a peak performance or a sustainable standard. The LA28 quota in the mixed event adds a layer of consequence that transforms what might otherwise be routine semifinal scheduling into a defining moment for the programme.
NationPress
28 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ganesh Mani Ratnam reach the Asian Games compound men's individual quarterfinals?
Ganesh Mani Ratnam beat compatriot Sahil Jadhav 149-148 in the Round of 16 at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park in Nisshin on Monday. He had earlier defeated Indonesia's Sostar Andaru Rinaldi 144-142 in the Round of 32.
Who does Ganesh Ratnam face in the quarterfinals?
Ganesh will face Chinese Taipei's Chieh-lun Chen in the compound men's individual quarterfinals, scheduled for Thursday.
Which Indian compound teams have reached the Asian Games semifinals?
India's compound men's team, women's team, and mixed team have all advanced to the semifinals. The men's and women's teams both face South Korea on 30 September, while the mixed team also secured a last-four berth after wins over Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
What is the significance of the compound mixed team event at the Asian Games?
The compound mixed team event carries extra weight because one Olympic quota place for the LA28 Games is available through the Asian Games. The discipline is set to make its historic debut at the Los Angeles Olympics, making a strong finish potentially career-defining for the Indian pair.
What were the scores in India's compound team quarterfinals?
The Indian men's team beat Bhutan 235-232, while the women's team defeated Kazakhstan 233-230 in their respective compound team quarterfinals. The mixed team beat Kazakhstan 159-154 to progress.
