India’s women’s compound archery team successfully defended its Asian Games gold medal after Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Thaniparthi and Prithika Pradeep defeated China 238-234 in a gripping final on Wednesday.
The victory secured India’s seventh gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games and saw the country move to ninth in the medal standings. India’s tally stood at 53 medals — seven gold, 21 silver and 25 bronze — at the time of the archery triumph.
The Indian trio also matched the world record score of 238 set by South Korea in 2014, adding another landmark to an already historic victory.
A still from the archery event
India seize control from the opening end
China made a shaky start to the gold-medal contest, opening with three 9s. India immediately capitalised as Chikitha, Prithika and Jyothi responded with three consecutive 10s to establish an early three-point lead.
China fought back with a 9 and two 10s, but the Indian trio remained composed and closed out the opening end with three more 10s. India led 60-57 after the first rotation.
The second end followed a similar pattern. China opened with a 9 and two 10s, while Chikitha registered a 9 for India. Prithika and Jyothi then found the target with 10s before the Indian team produced another sequence of three perfect 10s to strengthen its advantage.
China attempted to mount a comeback in the penultimate end with three 10s. India, however, refused to buckle under pressure. Chikitha began with a 9 before Prithika and Jyothi struck 10s. After China responded with a 9 and two 10s, the Indian trio answered with three consecutive 10s.
Nerves of steel in the final end
India entered the final end with the advantage, but China remained within striking distance. The Chinese team began with a 10 before consecutive 9s opened the door for India.
Chikitha, Prithika and Jyothi responded with three straight 10s, putting the defending champions firmly in control. China finished with three 10s, but India matched the sequence perfectly.
Three final 10s from the Indian archers sealed a 238-234 victory and another Asian Games title.
The result continued India’s remarkable record in the women’s compound team event. Since the discipline made its Asian Games debut in 2014, India have won a medal at every edition — bronze in 2014, silver in 2018 and gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Games before successfully retaining the title in 2026.
For 30-year-old Jyothi, the triumph marked her fourth consecutive Asian Games medal in the event. Chikitha and Prithika, meanwhile, added their first Asian Games gold medals to India’s growing compound archery haul.