India wrapped up the 2025 Archery World Cup with a total of 14 medals 3 gold, 4 silver, and 7 bronze across four stages.
The campaign highlighted India’s growing dominance in compound archery, while also laying bare the inconsistencies in recurve. From historic breakthroughs to heartbreaking defeats, the season provided a complete spectrum of emotions for Indian fans.
Stage 1 – Auburndale, USA: The Perfect Start
The season began on a promising note in Auburndale. India opened its account with four medals, setting the tone for what was to come. Rishabh Yadav and Jyothi Surekha Vennam were the headline act, striking gold in mixed compound. Their consistency in delivering under pressure once again reaffirmed India’s reliability in the format. The men’s recurve team also impressed, fighting their way to silver in a field stacked with depth. Dhiraj Bommadevara, one of India’s most experienced recurve archers, showed composure to clinch an individual bronze. Adding to the tally, the compound men’s team secured another bronze.
Four medals in the opening stage provided India with the kind of momentum every squad dreams of.
Stage 2 – Shanghai, China: The Best Stage
If Auburndale provided a perfect start, Shanghai was the stage where India truly soared. Seven medals came from this leg alone, underlining India’s dominance in compound archery. The star of the show was Madhura Dhamangaonkar. The young archer scripted history by clinching India’s first-ever World Cup gold in women’s compound, a moment that will be remembered as a watershed for Indian archery. Her composure and accuracy against seasoned opponents marked her out as one of the brightest stars of the season. The men’s compound team matched that brilliance, bagging gold and re-establishing India’s stronghold in the event. Meanwhile, recurve showed glimpses of resilience.
Deepika Kumari, the veteran of many campaigns, added a bronze, while Parth Salunkhe, one of the younger faces, also contributed with a podium finish. While not enough to overshadow compound’s dominance, these medals at least suggested India’s recurve archers are still capable of striking on their day.
Stage 3 – Antalya, Turkey: The Toughest Blow
Sports, however, rarely follow a perfect script. Antalya proved to be India’s toughest outing of the season, ending in disappointment as the contingent returned empty-handed. It was a stage where nothing clicked. Big names bowed out early, rhythm deserted the usually reliable compound teams, and recurve’s inconsistencies resurfaced. Fans were left frustrated as expectations were not met.
But this stage also served as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of sport where even the strongest can falter. As much as Shanghai had underlined India’s dominance, Antalya highlighted the challenges of sustaining form across a long season.
Stage 4 – Madrid, Spain: Ending on a High
From despair in Antalya to resilience in Madrid, India’s archers bounced back impressively. Three medals—all in compound—closed the season on a positive note. Jyothi Surekha Vennam once again rose to the occasion, securing silver in the women’s compound. The women’s team chipped in with another silver, proving their growing depth and consistency. Meanwhile, the dependable pair of Jyothi and Rishabh Yadav ensured India finished on the podium in mixed compound with a bronze.
The Madrid stage may not have matched the highs of Shanghai, but it allowed India to end the season on a confident note, showing that setbacks like Antalya could be overcome with grit and determination.
Final Tally and Performers
India’s final tally of 14 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze) across the four stages paints a clear picture: India is a powerhouse in compound archery, but gaps remain in recurve. Compound stars included Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Rishabh Yadav, Madhura Dhamangaonkar, Abhishek Verma, and Ojas Deotale. Their collective performances ensured India remained a dominant force in the discipline.
Recurve flashes came through Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Parth Salunkhe. While these names secured occasional medals, the lack of consistency was evident. India’s recurve contingent still struggles to match the consistency of world-leading nations.
Key Takeaways
- Compound is India’s Fortress : Four stages, multiple medals, and consistent podium finishes compound archery has become India’s safe haven. Stars like Jyothi, Rishabh, Madhura, Abhishek, and Ojas are carrying the flag, while new names like Prathiksha Pradeep are waiting in the wings.
- Recurve Needs Stability: Deepika Kumari’s flashes of brilliance and Salunkhe’s promise are encouraging, but India’s recurve archery needs stability and consistency. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics looming, building depth and resilience in this format is non-negotiable.
- New Heroes on the Rise: Madhura Dhamangaonkar breakthrough and teenager Prithikka Pradeep’s emergence are perhaps the biggest positives from 2025. Both represent the future of Indian archery, suggesting that a new generation is ready to take charge.
The 2025 Archery World Cup was more than just a medal tally it was a story of resilience, growth, and the search for balance between compound dominance and recurve fragility. Compound has firmly established itself as India’s fortress, delivering results stage after stage. But the challenge now is to translate some of that success into recurve, particularly with an eye on major multi-sport events where only recurve features. With stars like Jyothi, Madhura, Rishabh, and Abhishek leading the charge in compound, and veterans like Deepika still battling in recurve alongside emerging names, Indian archery has plenty to build on.
The road to Los Angeles 2028 is long, but the lessons of 2025 provide a clear blueprint fortify strengths, address weaknesses, and nurture the next generation of talent.
India leaves the 2025 Archery World Cup with pride, but also with a mission: to ensure that when the world gathers again on the Olympic stage, the tricolor can rise in both compound and recurve.
