A new generation takes aim
As the curtain falls on the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Indian archery returns home with nine medals: five gold, two silver and two bronze.
Behind every one of those medals lies a story of courage and sacrifice, and of a sporting ecosystem that has truly come of age.
For centuries, the image of Arjuna fixing his gaze on the eye of the bird has stood as India’s timeless lesson in focus. In Aichi-Nagoya, that lesson came alive. Our archers saw nothing but the target: not the reputation of their opponents, not the weight of history, not the pressure of a watching nation. They saw only the ten, and they found it, time and again.
Our compound archers swept all three team titles, men’s, women’s and mixed, for the second consecutive Asian Games. The women’s compound team equalled the world record in the final, and the mixed compound pair secured India’s quota for the LA 2028 Olympics, where compound archery will make its Olympic debut.
Yet the defining story of these Games was written in recurve, a discipline long dominated by Korea. Our women’s recurve team ended Korea’s run of seven successive Asian Games titles to claim India’s first-ever gold in the event. Our mixed recurve pair won India’s first medal in that event, and our men’s recurve team earned a second consecutive silver. Then, on the final day, a 17-year-old held her nerve in the individual recurve final to win a historic gold and secure an Olympic berth for India. Her composure under pressure is a lesson in how fearless India’s young athletes have become.
It is equally heartening that our women led from the front. From recurve to compound, they delivered whenever it mattered most, and they will inspire countless young girls across India to pick up a bow.
These results weren’t a day’s success, but are the fruit of nearly fifteen years of sustained, collective effort: world-class infrastructure, quality equipment, international coaching expertise, sports science and regular global exposure. There were times when the podium felt within reach yet just beyond our grasp, but the faith of our coaches, support staff and families never wavered. In Nagoya, our athletes also contended with demanding conditions, long commutes, testing winds and heavy rains, yet their poise through it all speaks volumes about their character.
This transformation would be incomplete without acknowledging the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Under his stewardship, sport has moved from the periphery of national priorities to its very centre. Khelo India has unearthed talent from the farthest corners of our nation, while the Target Olympic Podium Scheme has given our elite athletes the support and dignity they deserve. Above all, the Prime Minister has changed how India regards its sportspersons. He stands beside them in triumph and in disappointment, assuring every young athlete from the smallest town that a billion hopes stand behind them.
Having been with the sports administration for a while now, I have witnessed many campaigns, but Nagoya was a first even for me. While I was with the team, the Hon’ble Union Sports Minister personally called not once but twice to ask after our athletes, their preparation and their well-being. That is the culture the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built, one where the highest offices of the nation stand shoulder to shoulder with our athletes, not only on the podium but at every step of the journey.
When a nation honours its athletes, it begins to believe in them. Where there is belief, champions follow. The medals of Aichi-Nagoya, won by young Indians who refused to be intimidated, are the clearest testament to this new sporting India.
To our archers: you have filled 1.4 billion hearts with pride. To the coaches, support staff and families whose sacrifices so often go unseen: these medals belong equally to you.
I am confident that under the exemplary leadership of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji, India will flourish in every sporting discipline and take its rightful place among the world’s great sporting nations. As for our archers, they have shown Asia what they are capable of. They are ready for the Olympics, and the world will soon take note.
Jai Hind!
The writer is the Secretary General, Archery Association of India; Views presented are personal.
