Golden Bullseye: Sahil Jadhav and Chikitha Taniparthi Clinch Asian Games Gold

India’s Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Taniparthi Chikitha delivered a sensational performance to win the Gold Medal in the Compound Mixed Team event at the 2026 Asian Games, overcoming South Korea in a dramatic shoot-off.
The Indian pair finished level at 157-157 with South Korea’s Park Jeong-yun and Choi Yonghee after four intense ends, sending the contest into a decisive shoot-off.
With immense pressure on the final arrows, Jadhav and Taniparthi held their nerve to prevail 20-19, securing the gold medal for India.

South Korea took silver, while Thailand’s Kanoknapus Kaewbaidhoon and Ratanadanai Wonganta claimed bronze after losing to India 156-155 in the semifinals.

Historic Olympic Milestone for India

The triumph carries added significance as compound archery makes its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. According to the information provided, India’s Asian Games gold in Aichi-Nagoya also secured the country’s first official quota place in compound archery for LA 2028.

The achievement marks an important moment for Indian archery as the country continues to expand its presence across international disciplines.

A Gold Medal Built on Sacrifice

Behind the historic victory are stories of remarkable family sacrifice.

Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, from Satara, Maharashtra, took up archery at the age of 19. His mother reportedly sold her personal jewellery to help him purchase a compound bow, while his coach Pravin Sawant, a police constable, supported his early training financially.
Taniparthi Chikitha, from Sultanpur village in Peddapalli, Telangana, moved from black-belt karate to archery. Her father, a small-scale rice farmer, reportedly mortgaged the family’s harvester and took loans to help finance her equipment.

Their journey from modest beginnings to the Asian Games podium adds a powerful dimension to India’s historic compound mixed team gold.