Ganesh Mani Ratnam Celebrates India’s Historic Nine-Medal Archery Haul at Asian Games 2026

Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru has praised India’s outstanding performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, where the country topped the archery medal standings with nine medals. The 20-year-old, who contributed two medals to the tally, described the achievement as a significant moment for Indian archery and expressed his excitement about the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

India Tops Asian Games 2026 Archery Medal Table With Nine Medals

India delivered an impressive performance in archery at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, finishing at the top of the medal table with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals across the recurve and compound events.

Reacting to the achievement, Ganesh Mani Ratnam dedicated the success to the athletes, coaches, supporters and organisations that have contributed to the development of Indian archery. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association (IOA), NTPC, his sponsors, family and supporters.

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of Satya School’s annual sports day, ‘Satyan Spardha 2026’, in Gurugram, he described India’s nine-medal achievement as a great moment for the sport.

The young archer also expressed pride in representing India at his maiden Asian Games, highlighting the unforgettable experience of standing on the podium and hearing the national anthem after winning medals for the country.

Ganesh Mani Ratnam Wins Gold and Bronze at Asian Games

Ganesh Mani Ratnam was among India’s successful performers in the compound archery competition, securing two medals at the continental event.

He partnered with Sahil Jadhav and Kushal Dalal to win gold in the men’s compound team event, contributing to India’s impressive campaign in the discipline.

He later added an individual bronze medal after defeating Vietnam’s Cong Duc Dang 149-144 in the bronze-medal contest. The victory made his first Asian Games appearance particularly memorable, as he returned home with both a team gold and an individual medal.

Reflecting on the experience, Ganesh said winning medals for India had made him immensely happy and proud. He also described the moment of hearing the national anthem during the medal ceremony as an unforgettable feeling that could not easily be expressed in words.

Learning From India’s Experienced Archers

Ganesh also acknowledged the influence of experienced Indian archers Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam in his development.

He described competing and training alongside the established archers as an honour and privilege, explaining that the experience provided valuable lessons and opportunities for growth, particularly during the World Cup competitions.

The young compound archer believes learning from senior athletes will remain important as he continues to develop his skills and prepares for the next stage of his international career.

Ganesh Mani Ratnam Targets 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

With compound archery set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, Ganesh has already shifted his attention towards the upcoming selection trials and Olympic preparations.

He expressed excitement about the opportunity but acknowledged that competition for a place in the Indian team would be challenging. With the current Olympic programme featuring a mixed team event in compound archery, he understands the importance of preparing thoroughly and improving his performance.

Ganesh said he is looking forward to the trials and intends to sharpen his skills while continuing to learn from experienced senior archers.

Ganesh Encourages Young Students to Balance Sports and Education

Apart from his achievements on the archery field, Ganesh also used his appearance at Satya School’s annual sports day to encourage young students to pursue sports alongside academics.

Attending the event as chief guest, he distributed medals and prizes to the winners and demonstrated his archery skills in front of the students.

He emphasised the importance of discipline, effective time management and communication between students, sports academies and school management to maintain a healthy balance between education and sporting commitments.

He also appreciated the school’s emphasis on sports and physical fitness under principal Manisha Malhotra, encouraging students to make the most of opportunities to develop both academically and athletically.

Following his impressive debut at the Asian Games, Ganesh Mani Ratnam will now look to build on his success and compete for a place in India’s compound archery team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.