GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA — As reported by Sportstar, the Indian compound men’s team has secured a historic first gold medal at the World Archery Championships. The trio of Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge held their composure to defeat a formidable French side in an intense final on Sunday, marking a landmark triumph for Indian archery.
The Path To Gold
The gold medal match was a thrilling contest. The Indian team initially fell behind, with France’s Nicolas Girard, Jean Philippe Boulch, and Francois Dubois taking the first end. However, the Indian archers, who had previously dispatched strong teams from Australia, the USA, and Turkey, mounted a powerful comeback in the second end to level the scores. The teams remained locked in a tie heading into the final arrows of the match. In a moment of high pressure, the Indian trio held their nerve to deliver three perfect 10s, securing a 235-233 victory (57-59, 60-58, 59-59, 59-57).
Mixed Team Silver
Prior to the gold medal triumph, India also earned a silver in the mixed team event. Rishabh Yadav and the experienced V. Jyothi Surekha battled hard against the Dutch pairing of Sanne de Laat and Mike Schloesser. In a tight summit clash, the Indian pair ultimately fell just short, losing 155-157 (39-38, 37-39, 40-40, 39-40).
Individual and Team Brilliance
The victory was a testament to the talent and resilience of the team members. It was a perfect reward for Rishabh Yadav, who continued his stellar form from earlier this year, having already won multiple medals in World Cup stages and a bronze at the World Games. Mentored by Abhishek Verma, the 23-year-old impressively overcame the disappointment of the mixed team final. The gold was also a significant morale booster for Aman Saini and Prathamesh Fuge, who were making their return to the national team after a three-year absence. All three Indian archers are now in contention for individual medals.
Discussion about this post