Ankita Bhakat capped a sensational day with the biggest win of her career, stunning Paris Olympics silver-medallist Nam Suhyeon of South Korea 7-3 in a tense five-set final to claim the women’s recurve gold at the Asian Archery Championships
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Indian archer Ankita Bhakat capped a sensational day with the biggest win of her career, stunning Paris Olympics silver-medallist Nam Suhyeon of South Korea 7-3 in a tense five-set final to claim the women’s recurve gold at the Asian Archery Championships, in Dhaka on Friday (November 14, 2025).
India also secured the women’s recurve bronze after Sangeeta edged out veteran five-time Olympian Deepika Kumari 6-5 in a dramatic shoot-off.
Ankita had earlier knocked out her longtime senior teammate, former world No. 1 Deepika Kumari, in the semifinals.
Locked at 5-5, both archers shot a nine in the shoot-off, but Ankita’s arrow was closer to the centre, sending her into the title clash.
Ankita began the final in commanding fashion, firing two 10s to take the opening set 29-27.
The second set ended in a scrappy 27-27 draw as both archers faltered. Ankita slipped to an 8 while Nam dropped to a 7.
Nam levelled the match by claiming the third set 28-26, with Ankita unable to find a single 10.
But the Indian hit back brilliantly in the fourth, nailing two 10s in a superb 29-28 effort to lead 5-3. Showing steely composure in the decider, Ankita once again delivered two 10s to clinch the gold, completing a breakthrough triumph against one of Asia’s most consistent performers.
Published – November 14, 2025 03:04 pm IST
