At just 15 years of age, Gatha Khadake has emerged as India’s brightest spark at the ongoing Archery World Championships, showing poise and maturity far beyond her years.
The teenager from Maharashtra has reached the Round of 16 in the recurve women’s event, making her the only Indian still in contention after more seasoned campaigners like Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat bowed out in the Round of 32. Gatha’s journey in the championships has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting her campaign in the 1/48 elimination round, she brushed aside Azerbaijan’s Huseynli with a confident 7-1 victory, setting the tone for what would follow.
In the 1/24 round, she faced Great Britain’s Rogers and put up a flawless show. Barely giving her opponent any room, Gatha stormed to a 6-0 win, underlining both her technical precision and mental focus. The biggest test came in the 1/16 stage against Katharina Bauer of Germany, a highly experienced archer ranked among Europe’s best. But Gatha held her nerve, executing her shots with consistency to seal the match 6-4. That win propelled her into the pre-quarterfinals and confirmed her as the last Indian recurve archer standing at these World Championships.
Clash with a Champion
Her next opponent, however, is a daunting one. Gatha will take on Lim Sihyeon of South Korea, the reigning queen of world archery who has already won three consecutive gold medals at major international tournaments. Facing the Korean superstar will be an enormous challenge, but for Gatha, the opportunity itself is invaluable a chance to measure herself against the very best in the sport. At just 15, very few archers get the chance to stand on such a stage. For Gatha, this experience is certain to shape her growth as she takes early steps into the highly competitive world of senior international archery.
Disappointment for Deepika and Ankita
While Gatha has captured attention with her run, the tournament brought heartbreak for India’s more established names.
- Deepika Kumari, seeded sixth and India’s most decorated archer, went down in a close 4-6 battle against Indonesia’s Diananda Choirunisa, who was seeded 27th. Despite her pedigree and experience, Deepika could not find her best rhythm and paid the price against a consistent opponent.
- Ankita Bhakat, seeded 30th, faced the toughest possible draw against Korea’s world No. 3 Lim Sihyeon in the Round of 32. Ankita fought but was outclassed, losing 2-6. Lim’s commanding display showed why she remains the gold standard in women’s recurve archery.
These early exits meant that India’s medal hopes now rest solely on the shoulders of Gatha Khadake, a teenager making her first big mark on the international stage.
Gatha’s performances have not come as a complete surprise to those who have followed her progress in domestic competitions. Known for her calm temperament and sharp shooting, she has steadily climbed the junior ranks over the last two years. But her breakthrough on the world stage at such a young age will inevitably draw comparisons with other prodigious Indian talents who announced themselves early in their careers.
What stands out most is her composure. Against seasoned opponents like Bauer, she showed no signs of intimidation, sticking to her process and focusing on one arrow at a time. That mental strength is often the difference-maker in pressure situations at elite tournaments, and Gatha seems to possess it naturally.
The clash against Lim Sihyeon will be a steep mountain to climb. The Korean star has been in imperious form throughout the season and rarely leaves room for error. For Gatha, however, the match offers more than just a shot at the quarterfinals. It is an opportunity to test herself against the world’s best, gain exposure, and carry invaluable lessons forward. Even if the result does not go her way, reaching the Round of 16 at the World Championships at just 15 years old is an achievement that highlights both her potential and India’s bright future in recurve archery.
Indian recurve archery has long been searching for consistency at the highest level. While the country has produced world-class names like Deepika Kumari, podium finishes at World Championships and Olympics have often eluded them. The emergence of Gatha Khadake at this stage provides renewed hope that a new generation may finally be able to bridge that gap. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics still three years away, India’s federation and coaching staff will likely view Gatha as a project worth nurturing carefully.
Exposure at youth competitions, consistent training, and international experience will be crucial in shaping her into a medal contender at future world events.
The Archery World Championships have not unfolded as many Indian fans expected, with senior names bowing out earlier than hoped. But amidst the disappointment, Gatha Khadake’s fearless performances have offered a silver lining.
At just 15, she has carried the weight of the tricolour with remarkable maturity and given India a reason to stay invested in the tournament. Her pre-quarterfinal clash with Lim Sihyeon will undoubtedly be a stern test, but regardless of the outcome, Gatha has already made her mark and perhaps, announced the arrival of India’s next big archery star.
