Neeraj Chauhan Wins Recurve Bronze After Thrilling All-India Battle With Dhiraj Bommadevara

Both archers entered the bronze-medal contest after falling short in their respective semifinals. Neeraj was beaten 1-7 by Japan’s Junya Nakanishi, while Dhiraj lost his last-four encounter against South Korea’s Lee Woo-Seok.

Neeraj made the stronger start in the bronze playoff, taking the opening set 29-26. Dhiraj responded in the second, winning 28-27, before edging another close set 29-28 to move within one set of the medal at 4-2.

With the contest on the line, Neeraj produced his best shooting of the match. He struck three consecutive 10s in the fourth set to take it 30-28 and level the score at 4-4.

The deciding set went down to the final arrows. Dhiraj opened with an 8 before finding two 10s to finish with 28. Neeraj responded with a 10 on his opening arrow and then needed 19 from his final two shots to claim bronze.

He delivered under pressure, shooting a 9 followed by a 10 to finish on 29 and seal the medal.

The two archers had already shared podium finishes earlier in the competition. Dhiraj won mixed-event silver alongside Kumkum Mohod after India lost the gold-medal contest to China.

Neeraj and Dhiraj also teamed up with Yashdeep Bhoge to win silver in the men's team event, with South Korea taking gold in the final.

India’s women archers have also enjoyed a highly successful campaign. Kumkum Mohod made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating South Korea’s Oh Yejin in the final.

Kumkum also added a team gold alongside Kirti Sharma and Ankita Bhakat, with the Indian trio defeating 10-time champions South Korea in the final.