Indian archery scaled new heights at the World Youth Archery Championships 2025 as Chikitha Taniparthi etched her name in history by winning India’s first-ever individual gold medal at the prestigious event.
Competing in the U21 Women’s Compound category, the young archer from Telangana delivered a stellar performance, defeating Korea’s second seed Park Yerin 142-136 in the final. This victory not only marks a milestone for Chikitha’s burgeoning career but also represents a watershed moment for Indian archery. While Indian compound archers have been among the world’s elite in team formats, clinching medals across senior World Cups and Championships, an individual gold at the youth level had remained elusive—until now.
Chikitha entered the elimination rounds with quiet confidence, gradually building her rhythm as the competition progressed.
- 1/16 Round: She started off against Chinese Taipei’s Ma Yu-wen, prevailing in a high-scoring contest 143-140. This opening win set the tone, showing her ability to stay composed against Asian rivals known for their technical precision.
- 1/8 Round: Against Mexico’s Ximena Estrada, Chikitha raised her level further, sealing a 142-138 win. Her grouping improved considerably, and her steady execution made the difference.
- Quarterfinal: The pressure mounted as she faced India’s own Parneet Kaur, herself an established name in compound archery. In what turned out to be a thrilling all-Indian battle, Chikitha edged it 146-143—the highest-scoring match of her campaign. By overcoming a compatriot of such calibre, she underlined her mental toughness and hunger for success.
- Semifinal: The next challenge was Spain’s Paula Diaz Morillas, a consistent performer on the European circuit. In a tight match, Chikitha held her nerve in the final ends to win 142-133. This result guaranteed India at least a silver, but the 20-year-old wasn’t content to stop there.
- Final: The gold medal match brought her face-to-face with Korea’s Park Yerin, the second seed and one of the tournament favourites. Korea’s reputation in archery, even in compound, carries immense weight. Yet, Chikitha showcased poise beyond her years. Shooting with clean technique and unflappable focus, she outscored Park 142-136, sealing the title and making history for India.
Chikitha’s triumph is monumental for several reasons:
- First Individual Gold: India has long excelled in compound archery team events, with names like Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Abhishek Verma bringing laurels at the senior level. However, an individual gold at the youth worlds had never come before. Chikitha has broken that barrier, inspiring an entire generation.
- Beating Korea in the Final: Korea’s dominance in recurve archery is legendary, but their compound program has grown rapidly. For an Indian archer to overcome a seeded Korean in a world final demonstrates that India’s talent pipeline is matching the very best.
- Emergence of New Talent: While India already has global stars in compound, Chikitha’s gold highlights the depth of young talent ready to take over. At just 20, she has years ahead to transition to senior success.
- Boost for Indian Women’s Archery: With Deepika Kumari leading recurve and Jyothi Surekha Vennam dominating compound at senior level, Chikitha’s entry signals continuity. India now has credible contenders across categories and age groups, ensuring sustainability.
Technical and Mental Strength
Observers of the final praised Chikitha’s composure. Unlike many young archers who can get flustered on the biggest stage, she maintained a steady rhythm across all ends. Her release was smooth, and her grouping stayed consistent even under pressure. Importantly, she handled the closing stages without hesitation, showing she could block out the enormity of the occasion. Her semifinal against Spain’s Paula also highlighted another key trait: adaptability. While her early rounds were high-scoring, the semifinal was scrappier.
Yet Chikitha adjusted her tempo, relied on consistent 9s, and avoided unnecessary risks. Such maturity bodes well for her future in senior events, where tactical adjustments often make the difference.
The Bigger Picture for India
India’s performance at the World Youth Archery Championships 2025 has been encouraging, with multiple archers advancing deep into elimination rounds across recurve and compound. Sharvari Shende’s gold in the U18 recurve women’s event was already a statement win; Chikitha’s U21 compound title has added another golden chapter. Together, these results showcase the breadth of India’s talent pool. Unlike in previous years, where medals were sporadic, India now has multiple world youth champions in both Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines.
This dual success strengthens India’s reputation as an emerging powerhouse in global archery.
What Lies Ahead for Chikitha
Winning gold at the youth worlds is a significant milestone, but for Chikitha Taniparthi, it should be the foundation of a long and decorated career. She will soon transition into senior competitions, where the field includes world-class names like Sara Lopez (Colombia) and Ella Gibson (Great Britain). If nurtured with the right coaching, support, and exposure, Chikitha has the potential to establish herself as a consistent medal contender at World Cups, World Championships, and even the World Games.
India’s compound archery program, already one of the best globally, now has another young star to carry its legacy forward.
Chikitha Taniparthi’s gold medal at the World Youth Archery Championships 2025 is not just a personal triumph—it is a historic achievement for Indian sport. By defeating Korea’s Park Yerin 142-136 in the final, after ousting Spain’s Paula Diaz Morillas in the semifinal, she has delivered India’s first-ever individual youth world title. Her journey through the draw marked by high scores, mental resilience, and the ability to rise in crunch moments highlights the arrival of a special talent. In a discipline where India has often been on the cusp of breakthroughs, Chikitha has broken through emphatically.
This victory will be remembered as the day India finally claimed its place among the elite of youth archery, and as the moment Chikitha Taniparthi emerged as a name to watch on the global stage.
