NAGOYA: It was a golden Wednesday for the Indian contingent at the Asian Games 2026 as the women’s compound archery team put up a historic display of precision and nerves of steel. The trio comprising veteran Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Prithika Pradeep outclassed their formidable opponents from China 238–234 in a thrilling summit clash to retain the prestigious title.

In doing so, the Indian archers didn't just top the podium; they etched their names in history by equalling the world record score of 238—a milestone previously set by South Korea back at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.

Right from the opening arrows at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park, the Indian trio stamped their authority. Taking a 60–58 lead in the very first end, they maintained a relentless two-point cushion through the second and third ends. Entering the final end with a slim 178–176 edge, the pressure was palpable. While the Chinese team of Wunier, Yue Wang, and Fangyao Wei stumbled slightly under mounting pressure by shooting a couple of nines, the Indian archers held their ground with absolute composure, sealing the triumph with a flurry of flawless ten-pointers.

The path to the gold medal match was far from easy. Earlier in the day, the Indian women faced a nail-biting semifinal battle against traditional powerhouses South Korea, squeezing through with a narrow 234–233 victory.

This momentous victory marks a glorious milestone for the country, bringing India's gold medal count to seven and further cementing the nation's rising dominance in international archery. While seasoned campaigner Jyothi Surekha Vennam added yet another glittering gold to her illustrious career collection, teammates Chikitha and Prithika celebrated a dream debut on the grand Asiad stage.