Asian Games: Jyothi’s Redemption, Chikhita, Beginning of Golden Archery with Prithika’s Spark Power

India had its reputation to defend when it stepped into the archery ring on Wednesday, September 30. They were nearing the business end of the women’s tag team competition. They last ended South Korea’s dominance of the sport at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

In Nagoya, they were expected to continue their dominance and had an interesting line-up for the competition. Jyothi Surekha Vennam needs no introduction. A former national level swimmer, she found her calling in archery after taking up the sport at a young age. Her progress was rapid and she soon established herself as one of the leading archers in the world.

SEPTEMBER 30, ASIAN GAMES UPDATE

Her biggest breakthrough came at the 2023 Asian Games, where she created a historic campaign by winning gold in the singles, women’s and mixed teams. With three titles in a single edition, she became the first Indian archer to achieve this feat at the Asian Games.

However, after the loss, she needed redemption 14-year-old Kang Yeon-seo from Korea and so he gives up his composite individual crown. There was a youthful spark from Chikhita Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep.

Hailing from a farming family, Chikhita was introduced to archery by her father who encouraged her to take up the sport after reading about it in the newspaper when she was in Class 2. She formally started training in 2018 and what started as an early interest soon turned into a passion.

She made her international breakthrough in 2025 and quickly became an important part of the Indian archery team. She won the under-21 women’s individual gold at the 2025 World Youth Archery Championships in Winnipeg, becoming the first Indian woman to win the title in the history of the event.

Prithika took up archery as a hobby in 5th grade, attracted to the sport because it was new and exciting. What started as a recreational activity soon turned into a serious interest, prompting her parents to enroll her in professional coaching from the 6th grade. Their support helped her transition from school geek to competitive archer.

Since then, she has been an important cog in the archery machinery for India and has won a total of seven medals at the international level. But on Wednesday, all three women had one goal in mind. Not just a perfect 10, but a golden one.

INDIA WILL RULE THE FINALS

Before reaching the finals, they had a big obstacle in front of them in the form of Korea.

And the match lived up to the billing. It was tense at times and from start to finish.

In the first end, nothing separated the two teams. The score was 59:59.

It was the latter where India were able to use Jyothi’s experience and the youthful exuberance of Chikhita and Prithika to take the lead. Score: 59-56.

India faltered a bit in the third over, scoring 58, but the damage was done in the second. They sealed the deal in the finals, tying Korea’s score at 58 and ending the match 234-233.

After such a close affair, you would expect China to fight back and finish the match close.

What followed was pure dominance. India fired in the final, producing a string of perfect 10s to edge China 60-58 in the opening end.

The defending champions kept their composure in the second end, matching their opponents’ score, winning 60:58 and strengthening their dominance. India then led 178:176 to the final end.

Under mounting pressure, China slipped with two 9s while India delivered another flawless round. Six perfect 10s in the final sealed the victory and allowed India to retain the title and equal the world record.

While Chikhita had a pair of 9’s in the mix, Jyothi and Prithika were perfect. They were hitting scores with ease as their coach’s beaming smile cut through the dark clouds in Nagoya.

Gold medals and smiles from the trio then added to the vibrancy of the field as India made a soft start to the defense of the crown.

– The end