On a bright afternoon at Chengdu, the Indian women’s compound archery team scripted history by clinching a bronze medal at the World University Games 2025.
The trio of Parneet Kaur, Avneet Kaur, and Madhura displayed composure, precision, and determination to defeat Great Britain 232–224 in the bronze medal match marking India’s first medal in archery at this year’s Games and continuing the country’s legacy of excellence in compound events.
This bronze adds to India’s tally at the Games so far, making it the third bronze medal overall. With the men’s and mixed compound teams set to compete for gold next, the day began with optimism, and the women’s team turned that belief into a podium finish.
Path to the Podium: Steady from Start to Finish
Seeded second after the ranking round, the Indian team began their campaign directly from the quarterfinal stage thanks to a first-round bye. Their journey was marked by consistency and resilience:
Quarterfinal vs Italy (#7):
In the last eight, India faced Italy, a team capable of challenging top seeds but lacking consistency. The Indian archers stepped up with a disciplined performance, winning 232–226. By maintaining steady ends and avoiding major errors, Parneet, Avneet, and Madhura ensured India moved into the semifinals with confidence.
Semifinal vs USA (#3):
In the semifinals, the Indian team met a formidable opponent in the third-seeded USA. The contest turned out to be the most challenging of their campaign. Despite matching the Americans closely, India narrowly lost 230–233. The small margin reflected how tight the match was — a few points could have tilted the result the other way. Although the defeat was disappointing, the Indian team showed character by immediately shifting focus to the bronze medal match.
Bronze Medal Match: Early Lead Seals the Deal
The bronze medal match against fourth-seeded Great Britain offered India a chance to convert their strong run into silverware. The Indian team made a statement right from the first end:
First Set:
India started with an outstanding score of 59, compared to Britain’s 51. The 8-point lead from this end effectively shaped the match, giving the Indian archers a cushion to control the contest.
Second Set:
Both teams matched each other with 58 points apiece. Despite Great Britain trying to recover, India maintained the lead, showing composure under pressure.
Third Set:
India and Great Britain again shot identical scores of 56. With the gap unchanged, India’s early dominance remained decisive.
Final Set:
India closed out the match efficiently, finishing with a total of 232 against Great Britain’s 224.
By building a big lead in the opening end and maintaining focus, India left no room for a comeback. The trio of Parneet, Avneet, and Madhura handled the pressure brilliantly, reflecting the depth and mental strength of India’s university-level archery program.
India’s success in compound archery is not new. Over the years, Indian archers have made a mark in Asian and world events, often competing with powerhouses like Korea and the USA. Today’s medal is a testament to that legacy and also to the investment in developing young university-level talent capable of performing on big stages.
Inside the Match: How India Built the Win
The updates captured the calm confidence of the Indian team:
•12:30pm | Match begins: Fans and experts alike predicted India to dominate.
•12:40pm | India shoots 59 in the first end vs GBR’s 51: a commanding start.
•12:45pm | Both teams score 58 in the second end: India keeps the lead.
•12:50pm | Another equal end (56-56): India holds firm.
•12:55pm | India finishes the job: 232–224. The bronze medal is secured.
These moments underline how crucial the first end was. By starting strong, India controlled the narrative and forced Britain to chase, an approach often seen in successful compound teams.
What Lies Ahead: More Medals in Sight
While this bronze was India’s first archery medal in Chengdu, it may not be the last. The Indian contingent still has two major finals coming up:
🥇 Men’s Compound Team Final: India will compete for the gold medal, hoping to replicate or better the women’s achievement.
🥇 Mixed Compound Team Final: Another gold medal opportunity, with India’s mixed team showing strong form throughout.
The confidence from today’s win, especially the way Parneet, Avneet, and Madhura handled pressure, is expected to inspire teammates in upcoming matches.
A Day That Began with Hope and Delivered History
As the day began, the bronze medal match against Great Britain was marked as winnable for India, given their ranking and form. But sport is never just about rankings it is about execution under pressure. The Indian team delivered exactly that: a mix of skill, discipline, and mental strength.
As India heads into gold medal matches in men’s and mixed compound events, today’s result sets the perfect tone. For Parneet, Avneet, and Madhura, it is a moment to cherish and for Indian archery, it is yet another reminder: on the world stage, they belong among the best
