India Win Compound Mixed Team Gold After Thrilling Shoot-Off Against South Korea at Asian Games 2026

India’s dominance in compound archery continued with another gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, but this one required a nerve-shredding finish.

Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav held their composure through a tightly contested compound mixed team final against South Korea before prevailing in a shoot-off after the match finished 157-157. The victory delivered India another archery gold on September 30 and gave Chikitha her second gold medal of the Games, while Sahil Jadhav secured his first. The result also secured India a quota for the compound mixed team event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, according to the competition update.

For India, it was another demonstration of how little separates the leading compound archery teams and how decisive the final arrow can become.

The gold medal journey began with Thailand in the semifinal. Chikitha and Sahil immediately established a narrow advantage, opening with 20 points while Thailand managed 17 after a 9 and an 8. Thailand responded in the next rotation, but India maintained control. Chikitha and Sahil combined for another 20 in the opening phase of the second end, taking India to 59-56.

The Thai pair continued to stay within touching distance. At the completion of End 2, India led 77-75. There was no significant separation through the third end either. Both teams repeatedly produced scores of 20, with India holding a two-point advantage at 117-115 heading into the final end. Thailand then applied maximum pressure.

A 20 from Kanoknapus Kaewchomphu and Peerawat Rattanapongkiat reduced India's advantage to just one after Chikitha's 9. Sahil responded with a 10 to keep India ahead 136-135.

The final four arrows decided the semifinal. Thailand again produced 20, leaving India needing composure rather than brilliance. Chikitha found a 10, followed by another 10 from Sahil. India won 156-155 and advanced to the final by the narrowest possible margin.

Perfect Start Against South Korea

The final against South Korea featured Park Jungyoon and Choi Yonghee, with India looking to add another Asian Games gold to the compound archery haul.

Both teams began perfectly. Chikitha and Sahil each shot 10s, matching the Korean pair to make it 20-20 after the opening rotation. India then found another gear. Chikitha and Sahil both produced another pair of 10s, completing a perfect 40-point first end. South Korea dropped a point when Park shot a 9, leaving India ahead 40-39.

The Indian pair continued their perfect run at the start of the second end. Chikitha shot another 10 and Sahil followed with one of his own, extending India's lead to 60-58. South Korea responded with a perfect 20 in the next rotation, but India matched it. At the halfway point, India remained ahead 80-78. It was an exceptionally tight final, with both teams maintaining scores at a level that left virtually no room for error.

The third end again began with pressure from South Korea. Park and Choi combined for another strong sequence, while Chikitha and Sahil continued to find the 10-ring. India reached 100, maintaining a two-point advantage at that stage. Then came India's first real dip of the final. Park and Choi produced another 19, while both Chikitha and Sahil registered 9s. Suddenly, the margin was down to just one point at 118-117.

The final four arrows would decide the gold. South Korea produced two 10s to put the pressure back on India. Chikitha responded with a 10 and Sahil followed with another, leaving India with a one-point advantage heading into the final two arrows.

South Korea refused to yield. Park and Choi completed the final rotation with a perfect 20, leaving India needing a strong finish. Chikitha's final regulation arrow landed in the 9-ring. That left Sahil with the responsibility of producing a 10 to keep India's gold-medal hopes alive. He delivered. The scores were level at 157-157, sending the final into a shoot-off. One arrow per archer. No margin for recovery. Chikitha stepped up first for India and found the 10-ring. Park matched her with a 10. Sahil then delivered another 10 for India.

Everything came down to Choi. The South Korean archer could not match it, shooting a 9. That was enough. India won gold via the shoot-off.

The victory continues India's extraordinary run in compound archery at the Asian Games. Chikitha added a second gold medal to her campaign, while Sahil collected his first Asian Games gold. The pair also ensured India successfully converted a final that had repeatedly threatened to slip away. The match against Thailand had already required India to win by a single point. The final demanded even more composure, with the gold ultimately decided by one arrow in the shoot-off.

The result also carries significance beyond the Asian Games podium. According to the competition update, India's victory secured a quota for the compound mixed team event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. For Chikitha, it was another gold. For Sahil, a first. For Indian compound archery, another statement performance.

After surviving Thailand 156-155, India matched South Korea through 20 arrows, absorbed the pressure of the closing stages and then held their nerve when the final went to a shoot-off. 157-157 in regulation. 20-19 in the shoot-off. Gold for India.

Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav had delivered when the entire contest came down to two final arrows.