Strong Start for India at the Para Archery World Championships: Harvinder Singh Shines with Career-Best Qualification Finish
The Indian para-archery contingent opened their campaign at the World Para Archery Championships 2025 in Gwangju, Korea, with a solid performance in the qualification rounds. The spotlight was firmly on Harvinder Singh, who delivered his best-ever qualification round at a World Championships, finishing 4th in the Recurve Men Open category. His consistency and composure set the tone for the Indian squad as they look to build momentum for the elimination stages.
For Harvinder Singh, a seasoned campaigner and reigning Paralympic champion, the qualification round was about more than just numbers it was about confidence. Scoring 645-9x, Harvinder not only secured a top-four finish but also registered his highest-ever ranking round result at the World Championships.
Having previously hovered around the mid-tier in past World events, this marked a significant breakthrough, underlining his transformation into a consistent global contender. Ranked World No. 1, Harvinder is now well-positioned heading into the knockout stages, where his experience and mental strength will be critical.
Harvinder wasn’t the only Indian making waves in the Recurve Men Open category.
Sahil, showing steady progress, shot 633-6x to finish 14th. This result reflects his growing maturity on the international stage and reinforces his status as a strong support to Harvinder in both individual and team events.
Dhanna Ram, competing in his first World Championships, scored 617-4x to finish 30th. While not among the top ranks, his entry into the elimination draw is vital for exposure and experience, setting the foundation for long-term growth.
The trio’s combined effort highlights India’s increasing depth in recurve a category that historically leaned heavily on Harvinder.
Doubles Success: India Ranked 2nd
One of the biggest boosts of the day came in the Recurve Men Open Doubles, where the pair of Harvinder Singh and Sahil produced a combined score of 1278-15x, securing the second rank overall.
This result firmly places them in contention for a podium finish in the doubles event. The chemistry between the two archers has been steadily building over the past year, and their ability to back each other under pressure will be crucial in the knockout matches.
A doubles medal would not only add to India’s tally but also symbolize the team’s evolution from being a one-man show to a more balanced unit capable of competing across categories.
Women’s W1: Shriya’s Steady Debut
On the women’s side, Shriya Joshi, making her debut at the World Championships, finished 15th in the Women’s W1 category. While her ranking may appear modest, the result is significant for Indian para-archery.
The W1 classification is one of the most technically demanding categories, catering to athletes with the most severe impairments. Shriya’s presence itself marks a step forward for India, expanding its representation into new categories. With her debut performance, she now carries the invaluable experience of competing at the highest level, which will strengthen her journey ahead.
Qualification rounds in archery are about positioning they don’t decide medals, but they shape the path to them. For India, the results from Gwangju 2025 signal a mix of stability and promise:
- Harvinder Singh’s top-four finish gives him a strong seeding advantage in the knockout rounds.
- Sahil’s mid-tier position means he will need to bring his best to progress deep, but his doubles synergy with Harvinder already suggests medal potential.
- Dhanna Ram, despite a lower finish, gains crucial exposure at this level, adding to India’s growing pool of international competitors.
- Shriya’s entry into W1 expands India’s footprint and adds another dimension to the team’s medal aspirations.
Why This Matters
India’s para-archery journey has been defined by steady growth, from the “silver smiles” of Dubai 2022 to the “golden breakthroughs” of Pilsen 2023 and the historic triumphs of Paris 2024. The qualification results in Gwangju reinforce that India’s success is not a one-off it is now a pattern of consistency.
Harvinder’s career-best finish is a reminder that veterans are still peaking. The rise of Sahil and the debut of Dhanna Ram show the pipeline of new talent. Shriya’s entry signals inclusivity across classifications.
Together, these outcomes underline India’s transformation into a multi-pronged force in para-archery, capable of producing results across categories and genders.
The elimination rounds will test not just precision but nerves. Archery at this level often comes down to a single arrow, a fleeting moment where focus decides destiny. For India, the challenge is to translate strong qualification performances into medals.
All eyes will be on Harvinder Singh, the leader of this squad, who now has the chance to add a World Championship medal to his Paralympic gold. But just as importantly, the doubles pairing of Harvinder and Sahil could emerge as one of the standout stories from Gwangju.
For debutants like Dhanna Ram and Shriya, every round will be a learning curve, but their participation adds valuable depth and future promise to the team.
Day one of the World Para Archery Championships 2025 has given India plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Harvinder Singh’s career-best qualification finish, strong doubles positioning, and the expanding presence of athletes across categories mark a strong beginning.
The stage is now set for the knockouts, where arrows will carry not just points, but dreams. For India, the targets in Gwangju are not just circular boards at 50 or 70 meters they are stepping stones toward cementing a legacy in world para-archery.
