At the 2025 World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, Indian archery found a fresh chapter of success this time written in bold letters by the nation’s rising compound archers.
While the World University Games often remain outside mainstream sporting headlines, this edition turned into a landmark event for India, marking its best-ever medal haul in archery at this global stage. Beyond the medals themselves, the event signaled something more powerful: a coming of age for India’s compound archery, just as the discipline prepares to debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It also highlighted the impact of grassroots investments and university-level support that have quietly built a promising new generation of athletes.
A Golden Start: Parneet Kaur and Kushal Dalal in the Mixed Team Event
India’s campaign got the perfect lift-off in the mixed compound team event, where Parneet Kaur and Kushal Dalal delivered a performance that balanced calm precision with raw determination. Entering the event with quiet belief, the pair faced a formidable South Korean team in the final. In a match that demanded consistency and nerves of steel, the Indians combined for an impressive 157 out of 160, outshooting their rivals 157–154 to clinch gold.
What set them apart was the synergy built over years of practice and competition. Their communication, shot timing, and rhythm spoke of a partnership honed well before they stepped onto the global stage. For both archers, this wasn’t just a medal—it was validation of countless hours spent perfecting their craft.
Sahil Rajesh Jadhav’s Historic Individual Triumph
If the mixed team gold set the tone, it was Sahil Rajesh Jadhav who delivered the headline moment of the tournament for India. Competing in the men’s individual compound final against Great Britain’s Ajay Scott, Jadhav displayed remarkable focus. Shooting fourteen 10s from 15 arrows, he finished with a score of 149, edging past his opponent by a single point.
His last arrow, landing right in the X-ring, was the kind of moment athletes dream about a shot that sealed India’s first-ever individual archery gold at the World University Games. For Jadhav, it was a personal milestone; for Indian archery, it was a statement of intent.
Near Miss in the Men’s Compound Team Final
Building on this momentum, the Indian trio of Jadhav, Dalal, and Hritik Sharma advanced confidently to the men’s compound team final. Facing Türkiye, the match was tense and decided by the slimmest of margins. India’s combined score of 231 fell just short against Türkiye’s 232.
While they settled for silver, the team’s consistent scoring and tactical maturity were encouraging signs. Their performance showed that Indian compound teams are no longer just competing—they are contending for titles on the world stage.
Women’s Team Shows Resilience with Bronze
The Indian women’s compound team of Parneet Kaur, Avneet Kaur, and Madhura Dhamangaonkar also had their moment of redemption. After missing out on the final, they regrouped and faced Great Britain in the bronze medal match. With a composed display, they clinched bronze with a comfortable 232–224 victory.
This medal highlighted the depth of talent on the women’s side, with each archer contributing crucially across rounds. For Parneet, already a gold medallist in the mixed team, it added to what was becoming an exceptional tournament.
Parneet Kaur’s Triple Medal Show
Parneet’s journey wasn’t over yet. She advanced to the women’s individual compound final, facing South Korea’s Moon Yeeun. In a closely fought contest, Parneet scored 146, just one point short of Moon’s 147. It was heartbreakingly close, but the silver meant Parneet finished her campaign with three medals: gold in mixed team, silver in individual, and bronze with the women’s team.
India had entered the tournament as defending champions in both men’s and women’s singles compound events, and Parneet’s silver ensured the team continued its tradition of finishing on the podium.
Historically, Indian archery’s spotlight has fallen on the recurve discipline, especially due to its Olympic status. But in recent years, compound archery has quietly grown, supported by better coaching, state-level camps, and initiatives like the Khelo India University Games. The results at the World University Games in Germany are a clear reflection of this investment.
For many of these athletes, success is built on strong foundations: access to quality equipment, exposure to international competitions, and support systems that understand the needs of student-athletes balancing academics and sport.
Recurve Teams Struggle, Pointing to Challenges Ahead
While compound archery enjoyed a breakthrough, the recurve contingent struggled to find rhythm. Despite experienced names and rising talents, India’s recurve teams couldn’t progress beyond the quarterfinals. It was a reminder that while there is progress in compound, challenges remain in ensuring consistency and mental resilience in recurve events, where competition is fierce and margins are thin.
This contrast may prompt archery stakeholders to rethink training methodologies, selection policies, and mental preparation strategies for recurve athletes ahead of major tournaments.
The real test for India’s compound archers now lies beyond university events. Names like Parneet Kaur, Sahil Jadhav, and Kushal Dalal have shown they belong at the international level. Their next challenge is transitioning to senior World Cups and World Championships—competitions where experience, mental toughness, and adaptability often make the difference.
But the signs are positive. With compound archery set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, India’s rising stars now form a promising talent pool that can realistically target the Olympic podium.
Mixed Team Compound in LA 2028: India’s Big Opportunity
The inclusion of compound mixed team at the Olympics has given fresh urgency to national plans. The format’s demand for synchrony and balance between male and female archers suits India’s deepening talent pool perfectly.
With recent international medals including the mixed team bronze at the 2025 World University Games India has shown it can challenge powerhouses like South Korea and the USA. The next three years will be crucial in converting this promise into sustained excellence.
The 2025 World University Games will be remembered not just for medals, but for what they symbolized: the moment India’s compound archers stepped onto the world stage with confidence, skill, and belief. Supported by grassroots development, university-level competitions, and better infrastructure, these athletes now carry not only medals but the hopes of a sporting nation ready to broaden its horizons.
If nurtured well, this could mark the beginning of a golden era for Indian compound archery one that could redefine the country’s identity on global podiums in the years to come.
