Asian Games 2026: India's compound archers beat China 238-237 for hat-trick gold
Synopsis
India's men's compound archers pulled off a one-point thriller against China — 238-237 — at the Asian Games 2026 in Okazaki, completing a hat-trick of compound gold medals across men's, women's, and mixed events in a single day. The mixed team gold also locked in an Olympic quota for LA 2028, making it one of Indian archery's most complete tournament performances in years.
Key Takeaways
Kushal Dalal , Sahil Rajesh Jadhav , and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru won gold in the men's compound team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Okazaki .
India defeated China 238-237 in the final — a margin of just one point — completing a dramatic comeback.
The win is India's third compound gold at these Games, covering men's, women's, and mixed team events.
The women's team of Chikitha Taniparthi , Prithika Pradeep , and Jyothi Surekha Vennam also beat China 238-234 to defend their gold.
The mixed team gold won by Chikitha and Sahil secured an LA 2028 Olympic quota place for India.
PM Narendra Modi congratulated the archers on X on 30 September .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 30 September congratulated the Indian men's compound archery trio of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru after they clinched gold at the Asian Games 2026 in Okazaki, defeating China 238-237 in a nail-biting final. The victory marks a hat-trick of compound gold medals for India at these Games.
Modi's Congratulations on X
Taking to X, the Prime Minister's Office praised the archers for their composure under pressure. 'Kushal Dalal, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru clinched Gold in the Men's Compound Team event at the Asian Games after a thrilling final. There was a superb show of accuracy and teamwork. Congratulations to our champion archers. Best wishes for their future endeavours,' the PMO wrote.
How the Final Unfolded
India started on the back foot, trailing 58-60 after the opening end, with China posting a flawless 60 from their first six arrows. Both teams matched each other in the second end, though China retained a two-point lead at 120-118 after an arrow initially scored nine was upgraded to ten following an umpire review.
India responded emphatically in the third end, shooting six perfect 10s, while China dropped a point, narrowing the gap to 178-179. The decisive fourth end saw China open with an eight as India surged ahead with three consecutive 10s. Despite China closing with three perfect 10s, India held their nerve to secure a one-point win and the gold medal.
Women's Team and Mixed Event Also Shine
Earlier on the same day, the Indian women's compound team of Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam successfully defended their gold medal by defeating China 238-234. Notably, Chikitha and Sahil had also won gold in the mixed team event, a result that secured an LA 2028 Olympic quota place for India — adding significant long-term weight to the day's achievements.
India's Archery Dominance at Okazaki
This comes amid a broader surge in Indian compound archery, with the discipline now delivering consistent podium results at continental level. The men's final result — decided by a single point after a dramatic comeback — underlines the team's ability to perform under pressure. India's compound archers have now won gold across men's, women's, and mixed team events at these Games, a clean sweep that few had predicted ahead of the tournament.
With an Olympic quota already secured and three gold medals in the bag, Indian archery heads into the LA 2028 cycle with considerable momentum.
Point of View
Plus an Olympic quota, suggests this is no longer a streak of individual brilliance but a structural shift in Indian archery. The question now is whether the Sports Authority of India and the Archery Association of India can translate Okazaki momentum into a credible LA 2028 medal plan, with consistent international exposure and funding — areas where Indian archery has historically lagged its East Asian rivals.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold for India in men's compound archery at Asian Games 2026?
Kushal Dalal, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, and Ganesh Maniratnam Thirumuru won gold for India in the men's compound team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Okazaki. They defeated China 238-237 in the final.
What was the final score in the India vs China men's compound archery final?
India defeated China 238-237 in the men's compound team final at the Asian Games 2026. The match was decided by a single point after a dramatic fourth-end comeback by India.
Did India win an Olympic quota at the Asian Games 2026 in archery?
Yes. Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Rajesh Jadhav won gold in the mixed compound team event, which secured an LA 2028 Olympic quota place for India.
How did India's women's compound team perform at Asian Games 2026?
The Indian women's compound team of Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam defeated China 238-234 to successfully defend their gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Okazaki.
What did PM Modi say about India's compound archers at Asian Games 2026?
PM Narendra Modi, through the PMO's X account, praised the archers for their 'superb show of accuracy and teamwork' and extended his best wishes for their future endeavours after their gold medal win on 30 September.
