Asian Games 2026: India Stuns China to Win Women’s Compound Archery Team Gold, Equals World Record Score

India’s women’s compound archery team won gold at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Wednesday, defeating China 238-234 with a near-perfect performance in the final.

The trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep led from the opening arrows and finished with three consecutive 10s to seal India’s seventh gold of the Games.

Their score equalled the world record of 238 set by South Korea in 2014, according to ANI. The victory took India’s medal tally to 53, comprising seven golds, 21 silvers and 25 bronzes.

For Jyothi, it was a fourth Asian Games gold. Chikitha and Prithika celebrated their first on their Asiad debuts.

A Perfect Start, a Clinical Finish

India opened with three 10s as China managed three nines, establishing an immediate advantage. Another perfect set from the Indian trio kept them ahead, with the score standing at 60-58 after one of China’s arrows was upgraded following a review.

India dropped their first point in the next set but retained a two-point cushion at 89-87. Three more 10s then pushed the lead to 119-116 at the halfway stage.

China began the second half with a perfect set to narrow the deficit. India responded with another three 10s in the following exchange, remaining ahead at 178-176 after a further review improved China’s score.

The decisive separation came as China shot a 10 and two nines. India extended their advantage to 208-204, leaving the title within reach.

Chikitha, Prithika and Jyothi each delivered a 10 with their final arrows to complete the 238-234 victory.

South Korea Pushes India in Semifinal

The final followed a tense 235-233 semifinal win over South Korea, in which India had to withstand a second-half comeback.

After the teams were level at 59-59 early on, India moved ahead and built a 118-115 lead by the halfway stage. South Korea responded with successive perfect sets, eventually drawing level at 175-175.

India regained a narrow advantage in the next exchange and entered the final set of arrows leading 205-204.

South Korea finished on 233. Chikitha and Prithika then shot a 10 each, while Jyothi added a nine, taking India to 235 and securing their place in the gold-medal match.

Against China, the Indian trio allowed no such late uncertainty, holding their lead throughout and closing with a perfect final set.

With inputs from ANI