The World Archery Championships in Gwangju proved to be a difficult outing for India’s men’s recurve contingent, with all three representatives bowing out of the competition before the quarterfinal stage.
Despite flashes of promise, the trio of Rahul, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Neeraj Chauhan were unable to make a significant impact in a field stacked with Olympic and world medallists. Among the three, Rahul was the only Indian to advance beyond the opening round. His campaign began with a dramatic shoot-off victory against Ukraine’s Lisniak in the 1/48 elimination. The pressure of the shoot-off was handled with composure, as Rahul struck the 10-ring to seal passage.
In the round of 24, he faced Ilfat of Kazakhstan and produced a confident display, winning the match 6–4. Rahul kept his groupings tight and took control in key sets, demonstrating maturity under pressure. The round of 16, however, brought heartbreak. Against Georgia’s Machavariani, Rahul pushed the match into a shoot-off after both archers had split sets at 5–5. The decider could have gone either way, but Machavariani held his nerve to edge the contest, knocking Rahul out.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, as Rahul had shown consistency through the match but fell just short when it mattered most. Still, reaching the last 16 in a World Championship is an achievement that underlines his potential at the elite level. His campaign was India’s best among the men’s recurve team, even if it ultimately ended in disappointment.
Dhiraj Bommadevara’s Early Exit
For Dhiraj Bommadevara, expectations were higher coming into the tournament, given his steady progression in recent seasons and Olympic experience. However, he drew a daunting opponent right at the start Mete Gazoz of Turkey, the reigning Olympic champion and a multiple-time world medallist.
The contest was a one-sided affair. Gazoz, known for his calm precision under pressure, was in ruthless form. Dhiraj fought hard but could not string together enough 10s to trouble the Turk, eventually going down 2–6 in the 1/48 elimination round. While the early exit is disappointing, context matters. Facing an archer of Gazoz’s calibre so early in the draw is a stroke of bad fortune. Dhiraj’s season has otherwise shown that he belongs among the elite, and this result will serve as a reminder of the fine margins at the highest level of the sport.
Neeraj Chauhan Outclassed by Bekzod
The third Indian in the men’s recurve individual draw, Neeraj Chauhan, endured a short-lived campaign. Facing Bekzod of Uzbekistan, Neeraj was comprehensively outshot, losing 0–6 in straight sets. Bekzod maintained tighter groups and capitalised on Neeraj’s loose arrows, leaving the Indian with little chance to recover. For Neeraj, it was a tough introduction to the pressures of the world stage, and while the result stings, the experience will be invaluable for his development.
The collective exit of all three men’s recurve archers before the quarterfinals highlights the gap that remains between India’s male archers and the global elite in this category. While Indian women, especially in recurve and compound, have consistently been medal contenders in recent years, the men’s side has not enjoyed the same level of success. Rahul’s run to the round of 16 shows progress, but the defeats for Dhiraj and Neeraj underline how unforgiving the competition is. The presence of world-class names like Gazoz, Kim Woojin, and Lee Woo Seok in the field makes any slip-up costly.
India’s men have the technical skill but must focus on building greater consistency under pressure, particularly in shoot-offs and against high-ranked opponents. The difference often lies in mental resilience and the ability to execute shots flawlessly in crunch situations.
Another factor limiting Indian men’s recurve progress is the relatively lower volume of international exposure compared to traditional powerhouses like Korea, Turkey, or Italy. Regular participation in World Cups, Grand Prix tournaments, and training stints abroad could help bridge this gap. Athletes like Rahul, who have shown the ability to push matches into shoot-offs against strong opponents, need sustained exposure to sharpen their competitive instincts. Dhiraj, despite his early exit here, remains a vital part of India’s long-term plans and will need continued support and opportunities to compete against the very best.
The World Archery Championships also serve as an important stepping stone toward Olympic qualification. India’s inability to progress deep into the draw here may put pressure on the men’s team to deliver in upcoming World Cups and continental qualifiers. The focus now must shift toward preparation for Paris 2028. Ensuring that the men’s team consistently reaches at least the quarterfinals in world-level events will be crucial. Building depth beyond the current crop is equally important, as rotation and competition for spots can raise performance standards.
The World Archery Championships ended on a disappointing note for India’s men’s recurve archers, with Rahul reaching the round of 16 before falling in a shoot-off, while Dhiraj and Neeraj bowed out in their opening rounds. The results underscore both the promise and the challenges facing Indian archery. Rahul’s run showed the potential to compete with the best, but the exits of his teammates highlighted the gap that still exists.
If India is to match the global giants of recurve archery, greater international exposure, sharper mental preparation, and consistent execution in pressure moments will be essential. For now, the men’s campaign in Gwangju will be remembered as a missed opportunity one that must fuel the hunger for stronger performances in the competitions to come.
