Daijiworld Media Network - Okazaki

Okazaki, Sep 30: India completed a clean sweep of all three compound archery team gold medals at the Asian Games on Wednesday, extending the country's dominance in the discipline with victories in the women's team, mixed team and men's team events.

The gold rush began with Chikitha Taniparthi, Prithika Pradeep and Jyothi Surekha Vennam successfully defending the women's team title. Chikitha then combined with Sahil Jadhav to win a dramatic mixed team final against South Korea, before Kushal Dalal, Sahil and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru completed the sweep with a thrilling victory over China in the men's team event.

India produced three wins through three contrasting contests, with the women's team matching a world record, the mixed team triumphing in a shoot-off and the men's team staging a late comeback.

In the women's team final, India defeated China 238-234 to retain the gold won at the previous edition. India had earlier won silver in 2018 and bronze in 2014.

The Indian trio also equalled the world record of 238 set by South Korea at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. After gaining an early advantage, Chikitha, Prithika and Jyothi maintained their composure and produced a perfect final end to keep China from closing the gap.

The mixed team final proved much tighter. Chikitha and Sahil were locked at 157-157 with South Korea's Park Jungyoon and Choi Yonghee at the end of regulation play.

The gold was decided in a shoot-off, where both Chikitha and Sahil hit the 10-ring. Choi could manage only a nine, handing another gold to India.

The victory also secured India a quota place for the mixed team event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where compound archery is set to make its Olympic debut.

Chikitha claimed her second gold of the Games after her women's team triumph, while Sahil secured his first gold.

India then completed the clean sweep in the men's team final against China.

Kushal, Sahil and Ganesh trailed 58-60 after the opening end and remained two points behind at the halfway stage. China stretched its advantage to 179-178 after three ends, leaving India with little margin for error.

The Indian trio responded with a perfect final end. China opened its final end with an eight, allowing India to overturn the deficit and take the lead.

Although China followed with three successive 10s, the damage had already been done as India held on for a 238-237 victory.

The men's triumph completed India's hat-trick of compound archery team golds on a day when its archers repeatedly delivered under pressure.

The clean sweep also extends India's impressive record in compound archery at the Asian Games. At Hangzhou 2023, Indian compound archers won all five gold medals available in the discipline, while the recurve teams added a silver and a bronze.

With three more golds on Wednesday, India again underlined its strong record in Asian Games compound archery.

Attention now turns to the individual events, with Indian archers including Ganesh and Chikitha scheduled to compete in the individual quarterfinals on Thursday.

For a discipline awaiting its Olympic debut, India's performance in Okazaki adds another significant chapter to its Asian Games record.