The Indian compound mixed team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Rishabh Yadav clinched a silver medal at the World Archery Championships 2025 in Gwangju, South Korea, after narrowly losing the gold medal match to the Dutch pairing of Jody de Laat and Mike Schloesser.
The final scoreline read 155–157, with a couple of dropped points in the second end proving decisive. This marks India’s second silver medal in the compound mixed team event at the World Championships, the first coming back in the 2021 edition. For Jyothi, it is yet another feather in a glittering international career, while Rishabh continues his rise on the global stage with his first medal at this level.
Road to the Final
Jyothi and Rishabh entered the elimination rounds in strong rhythm and carried that momentum through to the final.
Round of 16 (vs Germany, 160–152): The Indians were clinical, hitting a perfect rhythm from the start and comfortably dispatching the German pair with an eight-point margin.
Quarterfinal (vs El Salvador, 157–153): A more contested encounter, but consistent shooting from Jyothi and Rishabh ensured a safe passage into the last four.
Semifinal (vs Chinese Taipei, 157–155): In one of the closest matches of their campaign, India held their nerve in the crucial final end to edge past Taipei by just two points, booking their spot in the title clash.
The pair showcased composure under pressure throughout, and their chemistry on the shooting line was evident in the way they adjusted to conditions and supported each other through the knockout rounds.
The Gold Medal Match
The title clash was always expected to be a stern test, with the Netherlands fielding “Mr Perfect” Mike Schloesser, one of the most consistent compound archers in the world, alongside Jody de Laat.
•End 1 (India lead 39–38): India got off to a positive start. Jyothi struck two perfect 10s, while Rishabh contributed with a 9 and a 10. That gave the Indian team a narrow one-point advantage after the opening four arrows.
•End 2 (Netherlands lead 77–76): Momentum shifted in the second end. Rishabh slipped with two 9s, while the Dutch pair, anchored by Schloesser’s flawless shooting, capitalized to snatch a one-point lead.
•End 3 (116–117): India bounced back strongly with a string of 10s. Jyothi and Rishabh were nearly perfect, but the Dutch responded in kind — four straight 10s and they continue to lead by one.
•End 4 (Final score 157–155): With the match finely balanced, India needed a flawless finish. They delivered solid shots, but another couple of 9s crept in. Schloesser, true to his reputation, never missed the 10-ring finishing with a perfect set of 10s and Xs to seal the title for the Netherlands.
It was a high-quality contest throughout, with both teams shooting at the highest level. For India, the second-end slip made the difference, while the Dutch were unrelenting, particularly with Schloesser’s remarkable precision.
This silver medal is notable for several reasons:
- India’s Consistency in Compound Archery: The medal underlines India’s strength in compound archery, an area where the nation has steadily risen in recent years. With Jyothi’s experience and Rishabh’s emergence, India has a balanced team capable of competing with the very best.
- Second Mixed Team Silver at Worlds: India’s repeat performance of 2021 shows that the compound mixed team is becoming a reliable source of medals at the global stage.
- Olympic Event Relevance: The compound mixed team event is part of the Olympic program. Although compound archery is not yet a part of the Olympic Games themselves, it is regularly featured in multi-sport events, and strong performances here strengthen India’s case for continued inclusion and future success.
Jyothi and Rishabh’s Performance
For Jyothi Surekha Vennam, this silver is another addition to her impressive medal collection. She has long been the face of Indian compound archery, with multiple World Cup and World Championship podium finishes to her name. Her ability to deliver under pressure once again stood out, especially in the semifinal and gold medal match. For Rishabh Yadav, this medal could mark the beginning of a new phase in his career. He has shown promise in domestic competitions, and this outing in Gwangju proved his ability to handle the biggest stage.
Despite a couple of costly 9s in the final, his contributions were crucial in India’s journey to the silver.
It is worth highlighting the brilliance of Mike Schloesser, nicknamed “Mr Perfect” for good reason. In the final, he did not shoot a single arrow outside the 10-ring an extraordinary display of precision and consistency. His partnership with Jody de Laat proved too strong in the end, and their 157-point finish was enough to secure the gold medal.
The silver medal in Gwangju adds to India’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in compound archery. With young talents coming through alongside experienced campaigners like Jyothi, the prospects remain bright. The challenge now will be to convert silver into gold, especially in close finals against top-tier opponents like the Netherlands.
As the archery calendar moves forward, India will look to carry this momentum into the upcoming World Cups and the next World Championships. The dream of standing on the top step of the podium remains alive and performances like this suggest it is only a matter of time.
The World Archery Championships 2025 saw India once again stamp its presence on the global stage, with Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Rishabh Yadav securing silver in the compound mixed team event. Despite a narrow loss in the final, the pair displayed remarkable consistency and composure throughout the competition. A couple of arrows may have made the difference in the title clash, but the larger picture is clear: India is firmly among the elite in world compound archery. With continued growth and refinement, the day when the Indian flag is raised for gold may not be far away.
