Rishabh Yadav Leads India's Compound Archery

India scripted history in Indian compound archery on September 7, 2025, by winning its first-ever gold medal in the men’s compound team event at the World Archery Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea.

This achievement is a landmark moment for Indian archery, highlighting the growth of the sport in India and promising a bright future at global competitions.

Historic Final: India vs France

In a thrilling final, the Indian trio of Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge faced a strong French compound archery team comprising Nicolas Girrard, Jean Philippe Boulch, and Francois Dubois.

Despite trailing 57–59 after the first end, India made a remarkable comeback with six perfect 10s in the second end, levelling the score at 117–117. The third end saw both teams tied at 176–176, but Prathamesh Fuge’s six consecutive 10s in the end sealed India’s victory 235–233, marking the nation’s first gold in Indian compound archery at a World Championship.

This historic win proves India’s growing dominance in archery and reinforces the rising standards of Indian archery players.

Behind the Scenes: Tactical Changes & Coaching Impact

• A key turning point came in the round of 16 against Australia, where the team was struggling.

• Archery coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja made a critical change in the shooting order—Yadav opening, Saini second, and Fuge finishing—which proved to be a masterstroke.

• This strategy helped the Indian compound archery team surpass archery giants like the USA and Turkey en route to the final.

• Coach Teja also highlighted the rise in domestic standards, noting that junior archers now consistently score 350–355/360, a major leap from previous benchmarks.

• This improvement underlines the strengthening of India's compound archery and the nurturing of young talent in Indian archery.

Star Performers: Rishabh Yadav & Prathamesh Fuge

• Rishabh Yadav, India’s top individual qualifier, was exceptional, also winning a silver medal in the mixed team event.

• Mentored by veteran Abhishek Verma, Yadav debuted in 2018 and has steadily risen in prominence, including winning his first World Cup medal in Shanghai.

• Prathamesh Fuge, initially the lowest-ranked among the trio, displayed immense mental strength, shooting perfect arrows when it mattered the most.

• Their combined efforts cemented the Indian men’s compound archery world championship result, marking a historic milestone for Indian compound archery.

Mixed Team Silver: India’s Rising Potential

• Earlier in the day, Rishabh Yadav and Jyothi Surekha Vennam clinched silver in the mixed team event, narrowly losing 155–157 to the Netherlands’ Mike Schloesser and Sanne de Laat.

• Despite a strong start and a flawless finish, India couldn’t overcome a mid-match slump. This performance marked India’s return to the mixed team archery podium after missing out in 2023.

• With the compound mixed team event set to debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, these results hint at a promising future for India's compound archery at the Olympics.

Women’s Team Disappointment

The Indian women’s compound archery streak ended in 2025, as the team bowed out in the pre-quarterfinals, breaking an eight-year medal streak. While the men’s team shone, this result reminds aspirants that consistent performance is crucial for Indian archery players and the overall growth of Indian compound archery.

Key Takeaways for SSC Aspirants

• Focus Keyword: India compound archery

• India secured its first gold in compound archery at a World Championship.

• Strategic coaching changes were pivotal for the men’s team.

• Rishabh Yadav and Prathamesh Fuge emerged as star performers.

• Mixed team silver shows future Olympic promise.

• The women’s team’s early exit ends a historic streak.

Future of India's Compound Archery

The win signals a turning point for India's compound archery performance at Gwangju 2025 and sets the stage for the future of India's compound archery in the 2028 Olympics. With rising domestic talent, strategic coaching, and international exposure, Indian archery gold medal prospects are looking stronger than ever.

For SSC aspirants, this is a crucial current affairs topic, combining sports achievements, strategy, and prospects, making it highly relevant for exams.

Final Thoughts

The historic triumph in India's compound archery at the 2025 World Archery Championships marks a new era for Indian sports on the global stage.

The men’s team, led by Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge, showcased remarkable skill, strategy, and composure to secure the nation’s first-ever gold in this event. Their victory not only reflects the rising standards of Indian archery players but also highlights the impact of strategic coaching and tactical planning.

With the mixed team silver and growing domestic talent, the future of India's compound archery looks exceptionally promising, especially with the 2028 Olympics on the horizon. This achievement cements India’s position as an emerging powerhouse in international archery.