In a landmark moment for Indian archery, Ankita Bhakat clinched the Women’s Recurve Individual Gold at the Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka, becoming the first Indian woman and the first Indian ever to win an individual recurve title at the continental event.
Her 7–3 victory over Korea’s Nam Su-hyeon, the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist, not only secured a personal milestone but also delivered one of India’s most significant breakthroughs in the sport.
The result capped an extraordinary week for Bhakat, who navigated a challenging draw that included some of Asia’s most experienced and consistent performers. For India, traditionally strong in compound archery but historically searching for a major recurve individual crown, this victory marked a decisive turning point one that could shape the narrative of the nation’s Olympic preparation in the years to come.
A Flawless Climb Through the Elimination Rounds
Ankita Bhakat began her run with a bye in the 1/24 round owing to her strong qualification position. From there, she maintained complete command over her matches:
- 1/16: Defeated Bangladesh’s Shimu Sima Aktar 7–1
- 1/8: Beat Chinese Taipei’s Li Tsai-Chi 7–3
- Quarterfinals: Overpowered Korea’s Jang Minhee 6–4
- Semifinals: Edged past compatriot Deepika Kumari 6–5 in a tight, high-pressure shoot-off
- Final: Defeated Korea’s Nam Su-hyeon 7–3 to win the gold
Her semifinal win over Deepika Kumari—India’s most decorated recurve archer proved to be the turning point. Under intense pressure, Bhakat delivered a steely performance in the shoot-off, landing a decisive arrow just inside Deepika’s to advance to the championship match.
A Final of Poise and Precision
Facing Nam Su-hyeon, one of the strongest Korean recurve archers of the current generation, Bhakat entered the final as the underdog. Nam had finished second at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and her consistency in major tournaments had established her as a formidable opponent. Yet, the Indian archer stepped onto the field with remarkable composure. Bhakat’s opening ends set the tempo, allowing her to take an early lead. Even when Nam responded with characteristic accuracy, Bhakat’s grouping and rhythm remained sharp.
Her controlled shooting under pressure allowed her to maintain a comfortable advantage throughout the match.
The 7–3 scoreline reflected her dominance an upset that instantly resonated across the Asian archery community.
Sangeeta Wins Bronze in All-Indian Podium Battle
India’s dominance in the women’s recurve category extended beyond the gold medal match. In the bronze medal contest, Sangeeta edged out Deepika Kumari in a dramatic 6–5 shoot-off, securing India yet another podium finish. The all-Indian clash highlighted the growing depth in the women’s recurve squad. Sangeeta, who has been steadily rising through the ranks, showcased exceptional nerve to close out the shoot-off, ensuring India finished with two podium places in the category.
For Deepika Kumari, it was a narrow miss, but her semifinal and bronze medal match performances demonstrated the consistency that continues to make her a vital part of India’s elite recurve unit.
Before 2025, India had never won an individual recurve title men or women at the Asian Archery Championships. Korea, the traditional powerhouse of world archery, has dominated the event for decades. Breaking that streak required a combination of elite preparation, tactical excellence, and impeccable execution under pressure. Ankita Bhakat’s victory achieved exactly that. Her gold medal ended India’s long wait for a continental recurve individual crown and announced her arrival among Asia’s top competitors. The win is likely to transform her trajectory in the international circuit and boost India’s confidence ahead of major Olympic qualification campaigns.
With Ankita’s gold, Sangeeta’s bronze, and several strong results across both recurve and compound categories, India finished atop the medal tally at the 2025 Asian Archery Championships. The performance underlined the country’s rapid growth in the sport, particularly the emergence of a more balanced recurve unit across both genders.
The medal sweep in women’s recurve, combined with the all-India final in men’s recurve earlier in the day, signalled a decisive shift in India’s continental status. The recurve squads long overshadowed by Korea showcased the depth, resilience, and finishing ability required to challenge the best in Asia.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Ankita Bhakat’s historic gold will be remembered not just as a personal milestone but as a breakthrough moment for Indian recurve archery. Her ability to defeat an Olympic medallist in a major final, handle the pressure of shoot-offs, and deliver consistently throughout the tournament marks her as a genuine contender on the world stage.
For Indian archery, this victory symbolizes belief proof that the nation can challenge the traditional giants and win on the biggest Asian platform.
And for Ankita Bhakat, this is only the beginning of what promises to be a landmark international career.
