In a historic moment for Indian archery, the recurve men’s team clinched a long-awaited gold medal at the Asian Archery Championship, ending an 18-year drought and breaking South Korea’s firm grip on the event. The team—comprising Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das and Rahul—produced one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent memory, defeating a Korean second-string side featuring Seo Mingi, Kim Yechan and Jang Jiho in a tense shoot-off that kept spectators on edge until the final arrow.

India went into the final as underdogs, given South Korea’s legendary reputation in recurve archery. Korea has dominated this category for decades and has held the Asian Championship title consistently since 2009. Even with their second-string lineup, they were expected to maintain their supremacy. However, the Indian trio had other plans. After trailing 2-4, the Indian team showed remarkable grit, focus and teamwork to force a decider, eventually turning the match around for a stunning 5-4 victory.

The match showcased the resilience of the Indian archers. Early on, the Koreans displayed their trademark consistency, putting the Indian side under pressure. But Yashdeep, Atanu and Rahul kept their composure. Their collective effort in the latter stages saw them tighten their grouping, shoot cleaner ends, and capitalize on the slight dip in the Koreans' rhythm. Their ability to bounce back when the odds seemed stacked against them reflected their experience and growing maturity as a unit.

The shoot-off, which ultimately decided the gold medal, was the highlight of the contest. All six archers delivered high-quality shots, but India edged ahead with tighter grouping and better precision under pressure. This final moment not only sealed the match but also marked India’s biggest breakthrough in Asian recurve archery in nearly two decades.

Beyond the medal itself, the victory carries immense significance for the Indian archery ecosystem. It demonstrates the depth of talent and growing competitiveness among Indian recurve archers, who have long been overshadowed by Korea’s dominance. The win is also a morale booster ahead of upcoming international events, including World Cups, Asian Games preparations, and Olympic qualification cycles.

For Atanu Das, one of India’s most experienced recurve archers, the win adds a memorable chapter to his career. For Yashdeep Bhoge and Rahul, it validates their emergence as strong performers capable of delivering under pressure on the biggest stages. Together, they showcased a perfect blend of experience, youth and teamwork.

South Korea, despite fielding a second-string team, pushed India to the limit, maintaining the high benchmark the country is known for. But India's victory signifies a shift—showing that the gap is narrowing and that Korea’s command over recurve archery is no longer unchallenged.