Sahil Jadhav and Chikita Taniparthi Stun South Korea in Shoot-Off Thriller to Win Archery Gold

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-30 15:23:00

India celebrated a double gold bonanza in archery at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Wednesday, taking the nation's total gold tally to eight. After the Indian women's compound trio of Chikita Taniparthi, Preetika, and Jyoti defeated China 238-234 to secure gold, the pair of Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Chikita Taniparthi held their nerve in a heart-stopping shoot-off against powerhouse South Korea to capture the compound mixed team gold medal and seal a coveted quota for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Nerve-Wracking Shoot-Off Win Over South Korea Seals Olympic Berth

The mixed team final produced one of the most intense archery showdowns of the Games, pushing both world-class teams to the wire:

Locked in Regulation: The Indian and South Korean pairs went toe-to-toe across regulation ends, concluding the four sets deadlocked at 157-157 to trigger a sudden-death shoot-off.

Flawless Shoot-Off Shots: Shooting first under immense psychological pressure, Chikita opened the shoot-off with a perfect 10. South Korea's Park answered with a 10 to match India. Sahil then stepped up and nailed a clinical 10, piling pressure onto South Korea's Choi, who faltered with a 9.

Double Gold for Chikita, Maiden Title for Sahil: The resulting 10-9 advantage in the shoot-off handed India the gold medal, marking Chikita's second gold of the day and Sahil's first Asian Games title, alongside securing an official entry quota for the compound mixed team discipline at the Los Angeles Olympics.

Sahil Jadhav's Inspiring Journey from Adversity to Asian Games Glory

Behind Sahil's steely composure on the international stage lies a story of relentless determination and family sacrifice:

Grassroots Spark: Sahil took up archery in 2016 after watching his neighbor practice the sport, choosing to commit to the bow after participating in multiple disciplines during his school years.

Overcoming Financial Roadblocks: Training at the Drishti Archery Academy, Sahil steadily honed his marksmanship, but acute financial limitations severely hindered his ability to acquire high-grade equipment and travel for competitive events.

Parental Support Averts Retirement: In 2022, compounding financial strains brought him to the verge of quitting the sport entirely. However, his parents, particularly his father, stepped in to shoulder the economic burdens, encouraging him to remain focused exclusively on his athletic targets.

Rapid Rise on the World Stage: Making his senior international debut in 2025, Sahil quickly established his credentials across the Archery World Cup circuit and continental championships, amassing three international medals (one gold, one silver, and one bronze) before clinching Asian Games glory and an Olympic berth for India.

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