Sahil Jadhav Tests New Bow at National Archery Championships

The Asian Games gold medallist scores 702 in the qualification round as he begins adjusting to upgraded equipment ahead of a demanding 2027 season.

India’s compound archer Sahil Jadhav is using the National Archery Championships to test his upgraded bow and fine-tune his preparations for the upcoming international season. The 25-year-old delivered 702 points in the qualification round on Friday while representing Railways.

Fresh from a successful Asian Games campaign, Jadhav said he was pleased with the feel of his new equipment. The competition also offered him an opportunity to assess the changes and build consistency before a packed calendar in 2027.

Sahil Jadhav Adapts to His New Bow

Jadhav described the new bow as an upgraded version of his previous equipment and said he was using it in competition for the first time at the national championships.

He revealed that the draw weight remained unchanged at 58 pounds and that he had not made too many adjustments. The archer found the equipment smooth to use and was satisfied with his initial experience.

The competition is an important opportunity for Jadhav to become comfortable with the new setup under match conditions. Equipment adjustments and consistency are crucial in compound archery, where precision and repeatability can make a significant difference.

Asian Games Gold Gives Jadhav Fresh Confidence

Jadhav arrives at the national championships after a memorable performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He won the men’s compound team gold alongside Kushal Dalal and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru.

He also teamed up with Chikitha Taniparthi to win the mixed team gold, securing India’s quota place for the mixed team compound event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Jadhav is also a World University Games individual gold medallist.

The success brought a demanding period of travel and felicitation commitments. Jadhav said that schedule had finally eased, allowing him to return his attention to training and competition.

Focus Shifts to the 2027 Archery Season

The national championships are part of Jadhav’s preparation for an important 2027 season, which includes four World Cup stages, the World Championships and other major competitions.

With the LA28 Olympic qualification place secured for India in the mixed team compound event, the focus will also be on maintaining strong performances in the domestic selection process. The quota belongs to the country, meaning Jadhav will still need to earn his place in the final Olympic team.

For now, the national competition gives him valuable time to adapt to his upgraded bow and sharpen his performance. With major international events approaching, Jadhav will look to build on his Asian Games success and remain competitive in the race towards Los Angeles.