Compound archers complete golden hat-trick, lay down LA Olympic marker

India continued their dominance in compound archery at the Asian Games, winning three gold medals on Wednesday, September 30, at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square. India defended their titles in both the men's and women's compound team events, while Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav secured a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by winning the mixed team compound gold.

The women's team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha and Prithika Pradeep began the gold rush, beating China 238-234 in a dominant final. Chikitha and Sahil then held their nerve in a thrilling mixed team final against Korea, winning 158-157 after a shoot-off to secure India's Olympic quota. The day ended with Sahil, Kushal Dalal and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru edging China 238-237 in the men's team final.

India had won gold medals in all five compound disciplines — men's and women's individual, men's and women's team and mixed team — in Hangzhou three years ago. Despite fielding a relatively young squad in Aichi-Nagoya, India have continued that golden run, winning all three team events on offer.

Jyothi, who won the women's individual gold in Hangzhou, is competing in Aichi-Nagoya but failed to make the quarterfinals after a disappointing qualification round. Defending men's individual champion Ojas Pravin Deotale, meanwhile, did not make the Indian squad for this edition. But the absence of Ojas and Jyothi's early individual exit has not slowed India's compound archery contingent, which has continued to stay ahead of traditional powerhouses Korea and China.

Both countries have accelerated their compound archery programmes following the discipline's inclusion in the Olympic programme, with compound mixed team archery set to make its debut at the Los Angeles Games.

India, however, ensured they remained ahead of the competition on a golden Wednesday.WORLD RECORD FOR WOMEN’S TEAM

India began the day's medal rush with a dominant performance from Jyothi, Chikitha and Prithika, who successfully defended the women's compound team title. The Indian trio produced a world record-equalling score of 238 to beat China's Wunier, Yue Wang and Fangyao Wei 238-234 and secure the country's first gold of the day.

The Indians set the tone from the opening end, shooting 60 to take a two-point lead over China. They maintained the advantage in the second end, again producing a 60 to move 120-116 ahead. China narrowed the gap slightly in the third end, but India remained composed and carried a 178-176 lead into the final end.

The pressure told on China when they produced two nines, while India delivered a perfect final round of six 10s. The 238-point total equalled the world record set by South Korea at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, adding another layer to an emphatic title defence.

The gold also offered redemption for Jyothi, who had suffered a shock pre-quarterfinal exit in the individual event after losing to 14-year-old Korean sensation Kang Yeon-seo. The veteran, however, bounced back strongly alongside Chikitha and Prithika to retain the team title.OLYMPIC QUOTA FOR MIXED TEAM Chikita and Sahil won Gold in mixed team compound archery (PTI Photo)

Chikitha and Sahil then produced the most dramatic finish of India's three gold-medal wins, edging Korea's Jungyoon Park and Choi Eun Gyu 158-157 after a shoot-off in the mixed team final.

Their victory had significance beyond the gold medal. The Indian pair secured a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, making India the first country to qualify for the mixed team compound event, which will make its Olympic debut at the Games.

The Indians started strongly, taking a 40-39 lead after the opening end with a series of perfect 10s. They extended their advantage to two points in the second end before Korea began to fight back. A nine from Chikitha reduced India's lead to one point, with the Indian pair 118-117 ahead after three ends.

Korea then produced a perfect score, putting India under immense pressure. The Indians needed two perfect 10s from their final two arrows to win outright. Chikitha again found a nine, but Sahil held his nerve and hit the 10 to level the scores and force a shoot-off.

There was no room for error in the decider. Both Chikitha and Sahil found the 10-ring, while Choi could only manage a nine, sealing India's second gold of the day and the Olympic quota.

India had reached the final after beating Thailand 156-155 in the semifinals.DOUBLE FOR SAHIL AS MEN’S TEAM WIN

India completed their golden sweep in the final event of the day, with Kushal Dalal, Sahil and Ganesh holding their nerve to edge China 238-237 in a thrilling men's compound team final.

The Chinese trio of Jiahao Liao, Jinyi Liu and Jingyu Shi pushed the defending champions all the way, but the Indian trio managed to stay ahead when it mattered most. The one-point victory allowed India to retain the men's team title and complete a clean sweep of the three compound team events.

For Sahil, it was a particularly memorable day. After partnering Chikitha to the mixed team gold and the Olympic quota earlier in the day, he returned to help India overcome China in the men's final and finish with two gold medals.

The victory also underlined India's depth in compound archery. With neither defending men's individual champion Ojas Pravin Deotale nor Hangzhou women's individual champion Jyothi competing in the individual events this time, the younger members of the squad have stepped up when it mattered.

India had swept all five compound gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games. With three team golds already secured in Aichi-Nagoya, Chikitha and Ganesh Mani Ratnam will now look to complete another clean sweep when they compete in the individual quarterfinals on Thursday.

If they go all the way, India could make it five gold medals out of five in compound archery at these Asian Games — matching their perfect run from Hangzhou. (With PTI Inputs)- Ends