India’s campaign in the Compound Men individual event at the Asian Archery Championships came to a close in the quarterfinals, with Sahil Jadhav and Prathamesh Fuge both falling to Korean opponents after strong performances through the early knockout rounds.
While India began the day with four archers in the elimination draw Jadhav, Fuge, and veteran Abhishek Verma, along with Prathamesh Jawkar the competition’s intensity and the precision of the Korean contingent proved decisive.
Despite the quarterfinal exits, the Indian archers produced high-quality scores and disciplined shooting throughout the earlier rounds, reaffirming India’s growing strength in the compound circuit. But on a day where margins were razor-thin, Korea’s top seeds held the edge when it mattered most.
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Sahil Jadhav began his campaign pre-seeded into the 1/16 round and immediately displayed controlled, confident shooting.
1/16 Round: He faced Andrey Tyutyun of Kazakhstan and delivered a solid 148, matching Tyutyun shot-for-shot. The match went into a shoot-off after finishing 148–148. Jadhav produced a 10, and Tyutyun’s arrow landed as a 9, giving the Indian a composed and pressure-handling victory.
Round of 16: In his next match, Jadhav defeated Iran’s Milad Rashidi, shooting 148 again one of the most consistent scores of the round. His accuracy from the first arrow to the last was admirable, and the back-to-back 148s reflected strong rhythm and control.
Quarterfinal Exit: However, the quarterfinal brought him up against Korea’s Lee Eun Ho, who shot a magnificent 148. Jadhav posted a respectable 147, but it wasn’t enough against one of the sharpest archers in the field. The one-point deficit underscored how small the margins are in compound archery a single arrow deciding advancement versus elimination.
Jadhav’s run, though ending earlier than hoped, showcased maturity and precision, reinforcing his place as one of India’s most promising compound archers in the current cycle.
Prathamesh Fuge: High-Level Shooting, Cruel Shoot-Off Defeat
Prathamesh Fuge, another emerging force in India’s compound lineup, also produced an impressive set of rounds before a heartbreaking quarterfinal exit.
1/16 Round: Fuge opened with a 146–142 win over Saudi Arabia’s Belal Alawadi, shooting with steady grouping and a consistent release pattern.
Round of 16: He then defeated Malaysia’s Mohammad Aiman Syafiq Mohd Tariki 147–146, holding strong under late pressure to edge through by a single point.
Quarterfinal: The Closest Match of India’s Day, Fuge then faced Choi Yonghee one of Korea’s most experienced compound shooters. Both archers delivered world-class scoring, finishing 148–148 after regular ends.
The match went to a shoot-off.
Fuge: 10 & Choi: 10+ (closer to the centre)
Despite matching the Korean arrow for arrow, Fuge went out based purely on arrow measurement the cruelest but fairest rule in compound archery. It was a defeat that showed how well Fuge is positioned at the continental level. His scores were among the highest for any Indian across the field, and the shoot-off loss only strengthens his credentials, proving he is capable of going toe-to-toe with the best in Asia.
Abhishek Verma and Prathamesh Jawkar Exit Earlier
India’s two other compound archers also saw mixed fortunes:
Abhishek Verma, the bronze medalist from last edition.
- 144–141 win in 1/16 round vs Malaysia’s Mohd Tariki
- 148–149 loss in 1/8 round to Malaysia’s Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki, who shot one of the strongest rounds of the session
Verma’s 148 would win the overwhelming majority of matches — but not on a day when opponents were consistently posting 148s and 149s.
Prathamesh Jawkar
- Pre-seeded into 1/16
- Lost 146–149 to Malaysia’s Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki
Mazuki’s 149 was a powerhouse score, ending Jawkar’s run before it could gather momentum.
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Korea’s sweep in the quarterfinals was a reminder of their longstanding dominance in the compound discipline. With Lee Eun Ho and Choi Yonghee both advancing, the Koreans once again demonstrated why they remain the benchmark for Asian compound archery.
India’s exits came with strong scores 147, 148, 148 indicating that performance levels were high despite the results. The Indian contingent displayed depth, consistency, and competitive temperament across all four athletes.
The small margins separating advancement from elimination highlight both the intensity of the field and India’s readiness to challenge at this level. With continued refinement, all four archers remain capable of turning these narrow losses into podium finishes in upcoming events.
