At just 22, Prathamesh Fuge stands as one of India’s brightest emerging names in compound archery calm under pressure, technically gifted, and mentally resilient beyond his years.
But his story isn’t just about bows and arrows. It’s a story of adaptation, perseverance, and the unique sporting culture that shaped him from a young athlete in Pune into one of India’s most promising archers.
The Early Years: A Sporting School That Changed Everything
Prathamesh’s journey began not in an archery field but on the high jump mat. Growing up in Pune, he studied at Jnana Prabodhini, a school renowned for its physical education program, known as Kridakul, which integrates academics with 12 hours of sports training and fitness each day.
“When I got admission in fifth grade,” he recalls, “we used to train only for fitness from fifth to seventh. After that, they decided which sport suited each student.”
His height stood out, and his coaches saw potential in track and field. Soon, he was practicing high jump and long jump, inspired by his seniors Omkar and Prithvi. “I failed the first jump, but cleared it on the second. That moment made me fall in love with sport,” he smiles.
By the time he reached the state-level competitions, Prathamesh had already earned a reputation as a natural athlete. But destiny, as it often does in sports, had other plans.
The Injury That Redirected His Life
During a routine long jump event, a minor misstep changed everything. “I made a mistake in my take-off and got a hairline crack in my right knee,” he says. Doctors prescribed two to three months of complete rest, something the restless young athlete struggled with. “I didn’t have the habit of sitting still. My body just didn’t allow me to rest.”
Even after recovery, his focus wavered. He tried gymnastics, volleyball, and baseball, but nothing clicked. “I couldn’t concentrate. I was playing, but without purpose,” he admits.
Then came an introduction that would redefine his future. “In seventh grade, our Kridakul coach told us there was a new sport archery. They gathered students, and the lazier ones were told to run around,” he laughs. “That’s when I first picked up the bow.”
Like many Indian athletes, access to proper equipment and guidance was crucial. Fortunately, Jnana Prabodhini had both. “The school provided equipment, and we practiced regularly,” Prathamesh says.
For three years, he trained in basic recurve techniques before making a decisive switch. “In tenth grade, I chose compound archery because Pune was doing very well in that category,” he explains. His coach, played a pivotal role. “He told me to focus on compound that’s where my strengths were.”
Unlike most young archers who start with recurve (the Olympic discipline), Prathamesh never felt the need to switch. “I tried recurve for fun,” he admits. “But never thought of changing seriously. I was always comfortable with compound.”
That clarity would eventually take him to the World Cup stage, competing against the best in the world.
Pressure, Shoot-Offs, and the Psychology of Perfection
Archery, particularly compound, leaves no room for error. Matches often end with perfect 150s, pushing athletes into nerve-racking shoot-offs where one arrow decides everything.
Prathamesh still vividly remembers his shoot-off loss against Mathias Fullerton in a World Cup final. “I shot 150-150. All 15 arrows were perfect. But I lost in the shoot-off. It feels very bad like an entire year’s hard work is wasted,” he says. “Still, there’s satisfaction. You gave your best. It’s not like I missed a 9. It’s just how fine the margins are.” He approaches shoot-offs with deliberate mental training. “You can’t predict luck a small gust of wind can change everything. But I train for it. I remind myself that even if I lose, I must not repeat mistakes.”
That mindset showed during his bronze medal match against Mike Schloesser (Netherlands) in Korea. “In my first World Cup podium match, I was nervous. But next time, I sat quietly and asked myself: why am I here? What do I have to do? I just focused on that. I didn’t want fear to control me again.”
He tied again at 148-148, losing narrowly. “But I was proud,” he says. “The pressure keeps me alive. I believe that little pressure helps me perform better. If I’m too relaxed, my body relaxes too.”
Inside India’s Archery Revolution
India’s compound archery ecosystem has transformed dramatically over the past few years. Trials that once required a score of 700/720 to make the top 10 now demand perfection. “In the last trial, someone who scored 700 was ranked 33rd,” Prathamesh says, astonished. “Two years ago, that would’ve made top eight.” He credits this surge to visibility and role models.
“After Ojas Deotale and Aditi Gopichand Swami became world champions, more people started taking archery seriously. Everyone feels if they can do it, we can too. Facilities are better, equipment is advanced, and athletes are working harder.”
He also draws inspiration from Abhishek Verma, India’s senior-most compound archer. “He taught me how to stay calm in every situation,” says Prathamesh. “We can’t control the weather or conditions it’s the same for everyone. The key is to control what’s in your hands.”
Team Dynamics and Strategy
Prathamesh has quickly become a core member of India’s compound men’s team. At the World Championships in Australia, India found themselves struggling early in the rounds. “Our sequence was Rishabh first, me second, and Aman third,” he recalls. “We weren’t getting good results. So, our coach changed the order Aman came second, I went third.”
That small adjustment changed everything. “In the last round, we shot a perfect 60/60. It gave us confidence. We continued in that order and won.”
Shooting last comes with its own pressure. “As the third shooter, you know the team’s total and how much you need to hit. Sometimes, if the first two take more time, I have to shoot faster. But my shooting style is quick so it helps the team.”
His composure under time constraints has become one of his defining strengths.
He mentions that support from Reliance Foundation Youth Sports has been very appreciative, he was sent to South Korea for a Preparatory Camp ahead of the World Championships Gold.
Beyond the Range: Calm, Music, and “Mr. Fuse”
Off the field, Prathamesh’s personality contrasts his competitive intensity. “I sing when I’m not shooting,” he grins. “Sometimes even during matches it distracts my mind when I get over-focused.”
His teammates call him “Mr. Fuse”, a nickname born during the 2022 Asia Cup. “Teammates started calling me that. It stuck,” he laughs.
When asked about his favorite training snack, he replies instantly: “My mother’s laddoos.” The warmth of that answer sums up his grounded nature a reminder that even as he travels the world, his roots remain in Pune.
As India prepares for the Archery Premier League’s final phase, Prathamesh’s excitement is palpable. “It’s happening for the first time in India. We’re all very excited,” he says. “It can make Indian archery grow like Europe or Korea with more visibility, sponsors, and opportunities for younger athletes.”
His goals for the coming season are clear podium finishes at the World Cup, team success at the Asian Championships, and consistent top-tier ranking heading into 2026.
From a high-jumping schoolboy in Pune to sharing shooting lines with the world’s best, Prathamesh’s rise represents more than personal achievement. It’s symbolic of India’s maturing archery culture one that is now producing world-class competitors, not just participants.
He embodies the modern Indian athlete: self-aware, grounded, and fearless in big moments.
As he smiles and recalls the lessons of his journey, one thing becomes clear Prathamesh Fuge is not just part of Indian archery’s future. He is shaping it.
