Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav and Aman Saini made India proud by winning the men’s first-ever compound gold at the World Archery Championships, in Gwangju on September 7, 2025. Photo: X/@india_archery
The Indian compound men’s team held its nerve to beat France and claimed its maiden gold medal at the World archery championships in Gwangju, Korea, on Sunday (September 7, 2025).
The trio of Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini and Prathamesh Fuge gave its best to record a come-from-behind 235-233 (57-59, 60-58, 59-59, 59-57) win in an intensely-fought final.
Rishabh and the experienced V. Jyothi Surekha took the mixed team silver after India lost 155-157 (39-38, 37-39, 40-40, 39-40) to the Netherlands, comprising Sanne de Laat and Mike Schloesser, in a tight summit clash.
Frenchmen Nicolas Girard, Jean Philippe Boulch and Francois Dubois won the first end of the men’s final but the Indians, who dispatched Australia, the USA and Turkey overnight, fought back in the second to level the scores.
The two teams remained tied even after the first three arrows of the fourth end. However, the Indians produced three 10s when it mattered the most. In reply, the French, under pressure, managed two 9s and a 10.
It was a perfect reward for the promising Rishabh, who showed consistency this year to gather five medals, including two gold, in World Cup stages and a bronze in the World Games.
The 23-year-old, mentored by the experienced Abhishek Verma, brilliantly overcame the disappointment of losing the mixed team final, where India forfeited an early advantage.
It was a morale-booster for the seasoned Saini and Fuge, who returned to the Indian side after about three years.
The three Indians are in the race for individual medals.
The results:
Compound: Individual: Men: Rishabh Yadav got byes (1st and 2nd rounds), bt Elia Fregnan (Ita) 148-138 (3rd round); Prathamesh Fuge bt Quentin Croes (Ger) 146-142 (1st round), bt Akbarali Karabayev (Kaz) 149-147 (2nd round), bt Nico Wiener (Aut) 149-148 (3rd round); Aman Saini bt Eshaq Al Daghman (Irq) 148-147 (1st round), bt Andrew Fagan (Can) 147-146 (2nd round), bt Ajay Scott (Gbr) 147-147, shoot-off: 10*-10 (shot closer to centre) (3rd round).
Team: Finals: Men: India (Rishabh, Saini, Fuge) bt France (Nicolas Girard, Jean Philippe Boulch and Francois Dubois) 235-233
Mixed: Netherlands (Sanne de Laat and Mike Schloesser) bt India (Rishabh, Jyothi Surekha) 157-155.
Published – September 07, 2025 12:56 pm IST