Asian Games: Chikitha Celebrates Golden Double and India’s Historic Olympic Quota

Chikitha Taniparthi’s golden Asian Games campaign ended with two landmark achievements, but the young Indian compound archer admitted she found it difficult to choose between her second gold medal and helping India secure its first Olympic quota place in the mixed team event for Los Angeles 2028.

The 22-year-old held her nerve alongside Sahil Jadhav in a tense mixed team final against South Korea, with the contest eventually requiring a shoot-off after both teams finished level at 157-157.

Chikitha opened the shoot-off with a crucial 10 and Sahil followed with another 10. South Korea’s Choi Yonghee needed to match that score with his final arrow to keep his team alive, but managed only a nine, handing India the gold and the Olympic quota.

“I was trying to be calm and confident,” Chikitha said.

The Indian pair had made a strong start to the final, with both archers finding the 10-ring with their opening shots. The first end finished 20-20 before a missed nine from South Korea allowed India to move ahead 40-39 after Chikitha and Sahil responded with two 10s.

India continued to maintain its advantage in the second end, extending the lead to 80-78. South Korea fought back in the following end, but India remained ahead at 100-98 before the Koreans trimmed the deficit further.

The final end produced another dramatic twist. Chikitha responded to the pressure with a 10, but South Korea closed its round with a perfect 20, leaving India needing two 10s from its final two arrows to force a shoot-off. Chikitha's nine appeared to put the Koreans in control, but Sahil produced a vital 10 to level the scores at 157-157.

The shoot-off then came down to the final arrow. Chikitha and Sahil both delivered 10s, keeping India in contention before Choi's nine confirmed the Indian victory.

The mixed team gold was Chikitha’s second title of the Games. Earlier, she had been part of the Indian women’s compound team alongside Prithika Pradeep and Jyothi Surekha Vennam that successfully defended its Asian Games crown.

The Indian women defeated China 238-234 in the final, matching the world-record score set by South Korea at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.

India established an early 30-28 advantage in the opening end before extending its lead to 119-116 by the halfway stage. China continued to apply pressure in the third end, but three consecutive 10s from Chikitha, Prithika and Jyothi helped India take a 178-175 lead into the final round.

China began the last end with two nines and a 10, while the Indian trio responded with three perfect 10s. Although China then produced three consecutive 10s, India maintained its accuracy to close out the 238-234 victory.

For Chikitha, the women’s team title provided her first gold of the Games, while the mixed team victory completed an unprecedented double and delivered the additional milestone of an Olympic quota.

“I was also checking the tally regularly. I was just thinking about that too, and I thought we have to give our best. Whatever happens, let it happen. Finally, we got it,” she said.

Chikitha said she dealt with the pressure by concentrating on one arrow at a time rather than allowing the significance of the occasion to affect her performance.

After completing her competitions, she had yet to speak with her family because of a packed schedule of media commitments. She said she was eager to call them, but also admitted that food was high on her immediate list of priorities.

“After the matches, I have been here giving all the interviews, so I didn’t get a chance (to speak to my family). Now I will go and talk to them. I am feeling hungry also,” she said.

“I want to have Japanese food, but we don’t know what is available here.”

Chikitha dedicated her two gold medals to her parents and supporters across India who had backed her journey.

“I dedicate this medal to my parents and our country, who supported and encouraged us and are watching this,” she said.

She also credited her father with introducing her to archery and former Indian archer Abhishek Verma with helping guide her career. Chikitha is currently training at the Sports Authority of India under coach Vivek.

“This is my father’s dream, and because of him, I came into archery. After that, Abhishek Verma guided me a lot, and I am at SAI under Vivek sir,” she said.

“I am slowly playing international matches, winning, trying to improve my scores, trying to shoot well and improving myself.”

The mixed team victory marks an important moment for Indian archery as compound archery prepares to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. India’s victory secured the country’s quota place in the compound mixed team event.