India Complete Compound Archery Sweep With Men’s Team Gold After Thrilling China Final

India's compound archery campaign at the Asian Games 2026 reached another extraordinary conclusion as Sahil Jadhav, Thirumuru Ganesh Mani Ratnam and Kushal Dalal defeated China 238-237 to win the men's team gold medal.

It was India's third gold medal in three compound archery team events on the day, following victories in the women's team and mixed team competitions. But unlike the earlier finals, this one demanded a comeback. India entered the gold-medal match against China after a commanding 236-229 semifinal victory over South Korea. China, however, immediately put India under pressure by producing a perfect opening end.

What followed was four ends of high-level shooting, with India eventually turning a one-point deficit into gold through an extraordinary final sequence.

The semifinal against South Korea began almost perfectly for India. Sahil Jadhav, Ganesh and Kushal combined for a maximum 60 points from the opening six arrows, while Korea managed 58. India extended that advantage in the second end, adding 59 to move to 119, while Korea reached 115.

The margin then grew again in the third end. India reached 178, with Korea on 171, taking a seven-point advantage into the final end. South Korea tried to close the gap, but India maintained control. The Korean team finished on 229, while India needed only 23 points from its final three arrows to reach the gold-medal match.

Sahil produced a 9, Ganesh followed with a 10 and Kushal responded with a 10. India finished 236-229 and booked a meeting with China.

China Strike First in the Final

The final began differently. China immediately produced six perfect arrows for 60 points, forcing India into an early chase. Sahil opened India's account with a 10, but Ganesh registered a 9 and Kushal another 10. India finished the opening end on 58, trailing China 60-58. The deficit was only two points, but China had established the kind of start that leaves very little room for error.

India responded exactly as required. Sahil, Ganesh and Kushal all opened the second end with 10s, giving India a perfect six-arrow sequence and taking their total to 118. China, however, remained flawless. An arrow initially marked as a 9 was upgraded to 10 following an umpire review, allowing China to maintain its perfect record and reach 120.

At the halfway point, India trailed by two.

The third end became the turning point. India began with three consecutive 10s from Sahil, Ganesh and Kushal, putting pressure back on China. China finally dropped a point when one of its arrows registered a 9. The gap narrowed to one at 149-148. India then finished the end with another three 10s, moving to 178. China responded with three 10s of its own.

After three ends, China still held the advantage, but only by a single point: 179-178. The final end would decide the gold.

India needed precision, and the trio produced exactly that. Sahil opened the final end with a 10. Ganesh followed with another. Kushal then completed India's opening sequence with a third 10.

India had produced 30 from 30. China began its response with a 10 and then another 10. But on its third arrow, China registered an 8, an error that immediately changed the contest. The arrow was reviewed, meaning the final margin remained subject to confirmation, but India had gained the advantage it needed. The Chinese team finished its final sequence with two more 10s.

India now had the gold within reach. Sahil, who had been outstanding throughout the final, delivered another 10. Ganesh followed with another 10.

Then came Kushal. Another 10.

India had produced a perfect final end. The final score was 238-237.

Three Golds From Three Compound Team Events

The victory completed a remarkable sweep for India. The women's compound team of Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep and Jyothi Surekha Vennam had already secured gold. Chikitha and Sahil then won the compound mixed team title after defeating South Korea in a shoot-off.

The men's team completed the sweep. For Sahil, it was his second gold medal of the day, following his mixed-team victory with Chikitha. Ganesh and Kushal also produced a remarkable response after both had dropped a 9 early in the final.

From that point onward, neither Indian archer missed. India's final sequence was particularly decisive: six consecutive 10s to close the contest, while China's costly 8 created the opening India needed. The result also marked India's continued success in defending the compound archery titles won at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Three team events. Three gold medals.

And three different pressure situations handled successfully. The men's compound team had trailed China for most of the final, but when the contest entered its decisive phase, India produced the perfect response. 238-237. Gold for India.

Sahil Jadhav, Thirumuru Ganesh Mani Ratnam and Kushal Dalal had completed India's remarkable compound archery sweep.