Golden Arrows: India Secures LA 2028 Olympic Quota

India produced a thrilling performance in compound mixed-team archery at the 2026 Asian Games, with Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav winning the gold medal after defeating South Korea in a dramatic shoot-off.

The final was a closely fought contest. India and South Korea finished the regulation match tied at 157-157, forcing the gold medal to be decided in a shoot-off. Under pressure, Chikitha and Sahil delivered when it mattered most, scoring 20 points, while the Korean pair managed 19.

The victory was significant beyond the Asian Games podium. The result secured India a quota place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where compound archery is scheduled to make its Olympic debut. The mixed-team event will therefore give India an early pathway to the historic competition.

The triumph also formed part of a memorable day for Indian compound archery. India won all three compound team gold medals on the day—the women’s, mixed and men’s events.

For Chikitha and Sahil, the shoot-off victory was a test of precision and composure, turning a tied final into a golden moment for Indian archery and securing an important milestone on the road to LA 2028.