Indian compound archery has entered a decisive phase, and the return of Sergio Pagni as head coach marks a clear statement of intent from the Archery Association of India (AAI).
With the Asian Games on the immediate horizon and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics looming larger than ever, Pagni’s reappointment is widely seen as a strategic move aimed at converting India’s dominance in compound archery into sustained success at the biggest multi-sport stages.
Pagni is no stranger to Indian archery. A former world No. 1 and one of the most respected figures in compound archery globally, the Italian coach has already played a transformative role in shaping India’s rise in the discipline. His earlier stints with the national team laid the foundation for India’s historic performances at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where Indian compound archers swept all five gold medals on offer, firmly establishing the country as a global powerhouse.
A Coach Synonymous with Results
Pagni’s return comes at a time when compound archery has assumed unprecedented importance in India’s Olympic planning. The inclusion of compound mixed team archery in the LA 2028 Olympic program has altered the competitive landscape. For the first time, India’s strongest archery discipline has a direct pathway to an Olympic medal, making elite coaching continuity not just desirable but essential.
Under Pagni, India’s compound archers have consistently demonstrated technical superiority and mental composure in high-pressure environments. His coaching philosophy emphasizes precision, repeatability, and psychological control, qualities that are critical in compound archery, where matches are often decided by a single arrow drifting outside the 10-ring.
The AAI’s decision to bring Pagni back reflects confidence in his proven ability to manage both established champions and emerging talent within the same ecosystem. With archers like Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Ojas Deotale, Abhishek Verma, and Aditi Swami, India already boasts a core group capable of challenging the world’s best on any given day.
Focus on Depth and Sustainability
One of Pagni’s key mandates in this new tenure is expected to be building squad depth, rather than relying solely on a handful of medal contenders. While India’s top compound archers have delivered consistently, the demands of a packed international calendar World Cups, World Championships, Asian Games, and Olympic qualifiers require a broader pool of athletes who can step in without a drop in performance.
Pagni’s structured approach to training has historically focused on creating internal competition within the squad. Selection trials, match simulations, and performance benchmarking ensure that no position is taken for granted. This competitive environment has been a major driver behind India’s sustained success over the past few years.
Asian Games: Defending Supremacy
The upcoming Asian Games in Japan will be the first major test of Pagni’s renewed partnership with Indian archery. India enters the competition as the defending champion in compound events, but the challenge will be significantly tougher this time around.
Countries like South Korea, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei have ramped up their compound programs, recognizing the discipline’s growing relevance. South Korea, in particular, has begun investing heavily in compound archery after years of recurve dominance, making the Asian Games a far more competitive battleground than in previous editions.
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Pagni’s experience in navigating such tactical shifts will be crucial. His understanding of international trends, equipment evolution, and opponent strategies gives India a valuable edge, especially in closely fought knockout matches.
Beyond the Asian Games, Pagni’s long-term significance lies in preparing India for LA 2028, where compound archery will make its Olympic debut. Unlike recurve, compound archery follows a cumulative scoring system, leaving little margin for error. Mental resilience, shot timing, and environmental adaptability become decisive factors.
Pagni has repeatedly stressed the importance of simplifying the mental process and treating every arrow as routine, even in medal matches. This mindset has been central to India’s ability to produce clutch performances in recent years, particularly in mixed team events.
India’s compound mixed teams have already shown they can compete with traditional powerhouses like the USA and the Netherlands on the World Cup circuit. With Pagni back at the helm, the focus will now be on refining these performances under Olympic-style pressure. Pagni’s return also aligns with stronger institutional backing from the Sports Authority of India and Olympic-focused programmes. Access to world-class equipment, sports science support, and international exposure tours ensures that the coach’s technical inputs are reinforced by a robust support system.
The National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat is expected to remain the hub of India’s compound archery preparations, with Pagni overseeing periodic high-intensity training blocks and competition-specific preparation.
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In reappointing Sergio Pagni, Indian archery has chosen continuity over experimentation, a decision rooted in evidence rather than optimism. With Asia’s best gearing up aggressively and the Olympic window finally opening for compound archery, India cannot afford disruption at this stage.
Pagni’s return is not just about maintaining dominance; it is about transitioning from champions to pioneers. The road to LA 2028 is demanding, but with one of the world’s most respected compound archery minds back in charge, India’s medal aspirations now rest on firmer ground than ever before.
