The Archery World Cup has returned for the 2026 season, and India’s compound contingent has made an encouraging start at Stage 1 in Puebla, Mexico.
With a blend of experienced names and emerging depth, India has positioned itself strongly in the qualification rounds, securing top seeds in both the men’s and women’s team events while remaining competitive across individual rankings.
The return of former world champions Aditi Swami and Ojas Deotale has added both quality and familiarity to the squad. Their presence, combined with consistent performers like Jyothi Surekha Vennam and a stable group of male archers, has ensured that India begins the season with momentum and clear medal ambitions.
Dominance in Team Rankings
India’s biggest takeaway from the qualification round has been its dominance in team events. The men’s compound team, comprising Ojas Deotale, Abhishek Verma, and Sahil, secured the top seed heading into the elimination rounds. This achievement reflects not just individual scoring ability but also collective consistency across all three archers.
All three shooters delivered tightly grouped scores Ojas (705), Abhishek (702), and Sahil (701) ensuring India stayed ahead of traditionally strong teams. The margins at this level are minimal, and crossing the 700-mark consistently is a clear indicator of elite-level performance.
Similarly, the women’s team featuring Madhura Dhamangaonkar, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Pragati also secured the No. 1 seed. With scores of 694 (Pragati), 691 (Jyothi), and 689 (Madhura), India once again demonstrated depth and balance.
Securing top seeding is strategically significant. It allows India a relatively favourable path in the knockout stages, avoiding early clashes with other top-ranked teams and increasing the probability of progressing to medal rounds.
Mixed Team: Strong but Work to Do
In the mixed team category, India’s pairing of Ojas Deotale and Pragati finished as the fourth seed. While still a strong position, it suggests that there is slightly more competition in this format, where coordination and rhythm between the two archers become critical.
Given Ojas’ consistency and Pragati’s sharp scoring, India remains a serious contender in the mixed event. However, unlike the team categories where India leads the field, the mixed team event may require more tactical precision in elimination rounds.
Win Exciting Prizes by Playing Sports Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
On the individual front, India has placed multiple archers within the top 20 in both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring strong representation in the knockout rounds.
Ojas Deotale led the Indian men with a score of 705, finishing 12th. While this may appear lower compared to his reputation as a world champion, the scoring spread in compound archery is extremely tight. A few points can separate the top 10 from the top 20, and Ojas remains well within striking distance.
Abhishek Verma (702), Sahil (701), and Kushal (700) followed closely, ranked 16th, 18th, and 19th respectively. The clustering of Indian archers within this range is significant—it indicates consistency across the squad rather than reliance on a single standout performer.
In the women’s individual event, Pragati emerged as India’s top performer with a score of 694, placing sixth. Jyothi Surekha Vennam (691) secured the 10th position, while Madhura (689) and Aditi Swami (689) finished 15th and 17th respectively.
Aditi’s return is particularly noteworthy. As a former world champion, her presence strengthens India’s lineup, and while her qualification ranking is modest by her standards, she remains a dangerous contender in head-to-head match play.
Qualification rounds in compound archery primarily determine seeding, but the real test begins in the elimination rounds, where matches are decided by cumulative scores under pressure. India’s strength lies in its ability to maintain high averages across multiple archers. In team events, this often translates into an advantage, as consistency tends to outweigh occasional brilliance.
However, individual events can be unpredictable. The knockout format leaves little room for error, and even a single low-scoring arrow can change the outcome. For Indian archers, especially those ranked outside the top 10, early-round matchups could be crucial.
The Puebla stage marks the beginning of a long international season, and India’s performances in qualification suggest that the team is well-prepared. The return of experienced names, combined with a stable core group, provides a solid foundation.
More importantly, the results indicate depth a critical factor for sustained success at the global level. With multiple archers capable of scoring above 700 in the men’s event and near-690 in the women’s event, India is not dependent on a single athlete.
Win Exciting Prizes by Playing Sports Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
While medals at World Cup stages are important, they also serve as preparation for larger targets, including the World Championships and the Olympic cycle ahead. Performances like these help in refining combinations, testing strategies, and building confidence.
India’s compound archery program has been one of the most consistent globally in recent years, and the early signs in Puebla suggest that the trend is set to continue in 2026.
As the elimination rounds begin, the focus will shift from rankings to execution. If India can convert its strong qualification showing into composed performances under pressure, a podium finish across multiple events is well within reach.
For now, Stage 1 in Puebla has delivered exactly what India would have wanted a strong, stable, and competitive start to the season.
