Asian Games 2026: Sahil Jadhav, Kirti Sharma felicitated by SAI Kolkata for archery gold
Synopsis
Sahil Rajesh Jadhav won two archery gold medals and secured India an Olympic quota for Los Angeles 2028, while rower Satnam Singh broke new ground with India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the men's double sculls — and SAI Kolkata's felicitation ceremony brought all three stories together on Monday.
Key Takeaways
SAI Kolkata felicitated archers Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Kirti Sharma , and rower Satnam Singh on 26 October for their Asian Games 2026 performances.
Sahil won two gold medals — in the men's compound team and mixed compound team events — in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Sahil also secured a quota spot for India in the mixed compound event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games .
Kirti Sharma was part of the trio that won a historic gold in the women's recurve team event .
Satnam Singh and partner Salman Khan claimed India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the men's double sculls .
Coaches Haresh Kumar , Udham Singh , and Arjuna Awardee Inderpal Singh were also recognised at the ceremony.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kolkata, on Monday, 26 October felicitated three Indian medal-winners from the Asian Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — archers Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Kirti Sharma, who brought home gold, and rower Satnam Singh, who clinched bronze in the men's double sculls event. The ceremony underscored SAI's institutional role in nurturing India's growing presence across Olympic disciplines.
Gold Medals in Archery
Archer Sahil Rajesh Jadhav delivered a standout campaign at the Games, winning two gold medals — in the men's compound team event and the mixed compound team event. Crucially, Sahil also secured a quota spot for India in the mixed compound event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, a significant milestone in the country's preparations for the next Summer Olympics.
Kirti Sharma was part of the trio that claimed a historic gold in the women's recurve team event, further reinforcing India's growing strength in international archery.
Satnam Singh's Historic Bronze in Rowing
Rower Satnam Singh, competing alongside partner Salman Khan, won India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the men's double sculls event. Satnam revealed that the run-up to the medal was anything but straightforward. 'I was confident of winning a medal in the men's quadruple sculls. But at the last moment I was told to compete in the double sculls. I was not confident initially, but was determined to give my best,' he said.
He added: 'We had never won a medal in that event earlier. Now that me and my partner Salman Khan have removed that psychological barrier, it has opened the road for more medals in the double sculls in the future.'
Coaches and Support System Recognised
The felicitation ceremony also honoured the coaching staff behind the medallists. Haresh Kumar, who coaches Sahil at SAI NCOE Kolkata, Udham Singh, who guides Kirti at SAI STC Hazaribagh, and Arjuna Awardee Inderpal Singh, a coach at SAI Jagatpur who mentors Satnam Singh, were all present and acknowledged for their contribution.
Sahil paid tribute to his support structure, saying, 'I want to thank my coaches at SAI for their guidance. It is important to stay grounded and continue to work hard after achieving success.'
SAI Regional Director Lauds India's Achievement
Sibananda Mishra, regional director of SAI NCOE, commended the athletes and their coaches. 'The achievements of Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, Kirti Sharma and Satnam Singh are a matter of immense pride for the country. Their performances at the Asian Games 2026 reflect the dedication, perseverance and competitive spirit that define Indian sport,' he said.
This is the latest in a series of SAI recognition events following India's strong showing at the Games. With an Olympic quota already secured in the mixed compound archery event, the momentum from Aichi-Nagoya is expected to carry forward as India ramps up its Los Angeles 2028 preparations.
Point of View
But the more consequential detail sits in a single line: Sahil Jadhav has secured India an Olympic quota in mixed compound archery for Los Angeles 2028 — a discipline where the country has been building depth quietly. Satnam Singh's double sculls bronze matters beyond the medal count; breaking a zero-win record in an event changes what Indian rowers believe is possible. SAI's institutional support model, often underreported, is increasingly the connective tissue between raw talent and podium finishes. The question going forward is whether the infrastructure at NCOE Kolkata and STC Hazaribagh scales fast enough to convert this momentum into consistent Olympic-cycle returns.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and what did he win at the Asian Games 2026?
Sahil Rajesh Jadhav is an Indian compound archer based at SAI NCOE Kolkata. He won two gold medals at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya — in the men's compound team event and the mixed compound team event — and also secured a quota spot for India in the mixed compound discipline at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
What historic achievement did Satnam Singh accomplish at Asian Games 2026?
Satnam Singh, competing with partner Salman Khan, won India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the men's double sculls rowing event, claiming a bronze medal. It is the first time India has stood on the podium in that particular event at the continental Games.
What was Kirti Sharma's achievement at the Asian Games 2026?
Kirti Sharma was part of the Indian women's recurve archery trio that won a historic gold medal in the team event at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She was felicitated by SAI Kolkata for the achievement on 26 October.
What is the significance of India's Olympic quota in mixed compound archery?
The quota secured by Sahil Rajesh Jadhav guarantees India a direct berth in the mixed compound team event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. It is a significant step in India's preparations for the Summer Olympics and reflects the country's rising competitiveness in compound archery globally.
Which coaches were recognised at the SAI Kolkata felicitation ceremony?
Three coaches were honoured — Haresh Kumar, who trains Sahil at SAI NCOE Kolkata; Udham Singh, who coaches Kirti Sharma at SAI STC Hazaribagh; and Arjuna Awardee Inderpal Singh, a coach at SAI Jagatpur who guides Satnam Singh.
