The year 2025 was a defining chapter for Indian archery, marked by unprecedented individual glory, historic milestones, and significant administrative challenges. The narrative was powerfully shaped by the extraordinary achievements of para archer Sheetal Devi, even as the sport grappled with familiar inconsistencies in the recurve discipline ahead of the crucial 2026 Asian Games.
Sheetal Devi: Redefining the Limits of Grit
Hailing from Kishtwar in Jammu, the 18-year-old Sheetal Devi, born without arms due to a rare condition called phocomelia, personified resilience. Building on her Paralympic bronze from Paris 2024, she soared to new heights at the World Para Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. Sheetal made history by becoming the first female armless world champion in para archery, striking gold in the women's compound open event by defeating Turkish Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi in the final. She further capped off a remarkable campaign with a team silver and a mixed team bronze.
Her trailblazing year didn't stop there. In a monumental feat, Sheetal qualified for her first able-bodied international competition. Competing against over 60 able-bodied archers at the national selection trials in Sonepat, she finished third in the women's compound rankings, earning a spot in India's junior team for the Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah.
Compound Archery's Rise & Recurve's Rocky Road
In a landmark decision for the sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in April 2025 that compound archery will debut at the Olympics. The compound mixed team event will be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking the first new bow-style addition since 1972. This is a massive boost for India, a global powerhouse in compound archery yet to win an Olympic medal. Archers like Abhishek Verma, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Rishabh Yadav now carry genuine medal hopes for LA28.
Compound archery proved to be India's most reliable discipline. Jyothi Surekha Vennam created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Archery World Cup Final, securing bronze in Nanjing. In contrast, none of India's recurve archers qualified for the season-ending final, highlighting a growing disparity.
However, the recurve squad had its moment of Asian glory. At the Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka, India dominated, topping the table with 10 medals (6 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze). Historic wins included Ankita Bhakat claiming the women's recurve individual gold and Dhiraj Bommadevara securing the men's title—a first-ever double for India. The men's recurve team also dethroned South Korea in a dramatic shoot-off. Yet, this victory came against a Korean side missing its top stars like Kim Woojin, leaving India's true test for the Asian Games.
Globally, recurve struggles persisted. The World Championships ended without a single recurve medal, exposing gaps in consistency. The decline of former world number one Deepika Kumari was evident, managing only one individual World Cup bronze and missing the Asian Championships podium. Meanwhile, the next generation, including teenagers Gatha Khadake (15) and Sharvari Shende (16), made their World Cup debuts.
Administrative Hurdles & The League Debut
Despite on-field successes, governance cast a shadow over preparations for the Asian Games. The Archery Association of India failed to appoint foreign head coaches for both recurve and compound teams. Negotiations with renowned Korean coach Kisik Lee for the recurve squad reportedly stalled over payment, and talks to re-appoint compound coach Sergio Pagni also remained inconclusive.
On a positive note, the long-awaited Archery Premier League (APL) finally launched in 2025. Though it saw modest traction and lacked South Korean participation, it featured global stars like Brady Ellison, Mete Gazoz, and Alejandra Valencia. The Gazoz-led Rajputana Royals clinched the inaugural title, providing Indian archers with a valuable professional platform.
As 2025 concludes, Indian archery stands at a crossroads. The inspirational rise of Sheetal Devi and the Olympic inclusion of compound archery have opened exciting new frontiers. Yet, with less than a year to the Asian Games, addressing the recurve unit's inconsistencies and resolving the coaching impasse remain the most pressing challenges for the sport's administrators.
