Asian Archery Championship: Indian recurve men stun South Korea in shoot-off to end 18-year wait for gold

By Admin

15 Nov, 2025

India’s recurve archers delivered a historic performance at the Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka on Friday (November 14, 2025), ending an 18-year drought by capturing the men’s team gold in a thrilling finish. The trio of Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das and Rahul stunned South Korea in a nerve-wracking shoot-off, marking one of India’s most memorable victories in recent years.

The final was a dramatic showdown from start to finish. Trailing 2-4, the Indian team showed remarkable composure to script a sensational 5-4 win over a Korean second-string lineup featuring Seo Mingi, Kim Yechan and Jang Jiho. With this victory, India finally broke Korea’s dominance in the event, which had remained unchallenged since 2009. In the decisive shoot-off, both teams shot 29, but India was declared the winner after Atanu Das   a two-time Olympian who had exited early in the individual rounds   fired a confident 10 that landed closer to the centre than Korea’s final arrow.

This gold is India’s first Asian Championship men’s recurve team title since 2007, making the triumph even more emotional. The win also boosted India’s overall tally to four gold and two silver medals. A strong showing from the compound squad, which clinched three gold and two silver medals on November 13, had already set the tone for India’s excellent campaign. Compound star Jyothi Surekha Vennam added to the joy by achieving a remarkable double in both team and individual events.

For the men’s recurve team coach Rahul Banerjee, the moment was deeply personal. Banerjee was part of the legendary 2007 team that last won this title alongside Mangal Singh Champia and Jayanta Talukdar. Eighteen years later, he guided a new generation consisting of his protege Atanu Das   who hit the decisive arrow   and his wife Deepika Kumari, who competed in the women’s squad.

Speaking about the win, Banerjee said it was a long-awaited fulfilment. “It’s really fulfilling as a coach as we defeated Korea and didn’t choke. Atanu and I were discussing last night that we have not won a gold for a long time, and it’s finally fulfilled. The next target is the Asian Games definitely,” he told PTI.

Although South Korea arrived without Olympic legend Kim Woojin, the team was far from weak. Seo Mingi topped the Korean national trials, Kim Yechan is a 20-year-old Chengdu University Games gold-medallist, and Jang Jiho added further depth. Banerjee highlighted their high pedigree, noting that the difference among Korea’s top five to six archers is minimal.

The final unfolded with its share of twists. The first two sets ended evenly at 56-56, keeping both teams locked at 2-2. Korea then surged ahead with a superb 57 in the third set, capitalizing on India’s shaky round that included four 8s. Down 2-4, India mounted a brilliant comeback in the fourth set with consecutive 10s and a composed 57-53 finish to level the match. The shoot-off that followed ultimately delivered India’s biggest men’s recurve victory in nearly two decades.

India’s overall campaign has been impressive across categories. The women’s team, mixed team and Jyothi Surekha Vennam in the compound individual event secured gold medals, while the men’s compound team claimed silver. Promising youngster Prithika Pradeep also earned a silver, adding to India’s rising presence on the continental stage.

More medals may still be on the way, with individual recurve events set to continue. Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and newcomer Sangeeta have reached the women’s semifinals, while Dhiraj Bommadevara and Rahul have advanced to the last four in the men’s draw.

India’s stunning win over South Korea not only ends an 18-year wait but also reaffirms the nation’s growing prominence in Asian archery. With renewed confidence and momentum, the road ahead   including the Asian Games   looks filled with strong possibilities for Indian archers.