Bangkok 2023 silver medallist Kim Jongho, Yankton 2021 Hyundai World Archery champion Jang Minhee and little-known archers Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge and Deepshikha topped the qualifying at the 24th Asian Archery Championships today in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Jongho, currently ranked 17th in the world, shot an impressive 715 points out of a possible 720 points for the 72-arrow round – just three points shy of Braden Gellenthien’s 718 world record-mark.
Three points behind the Korean, taking the second seed, was experienced Abhishek Verma while another veteran Choi Yonghee, the eighth ranked and bronze medallist at Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships, was third seed at 710.
In total, 19 compound men archers broke the 700-point mark in the qualifying at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
Five compound women broke the elite mark, led by Indian youngster Deepshikha on 705.
Close on the heels of the leader was Korea’s Park Yerin, silver medallist (under 21 event) at Winnipeg 2025 World Archery Youth Championships, at 704.
World number two Jyothi Surekha Vennam (703), promising stars Prithika Pradeep (702) and Chikitha Taniparthi (701), both medallists at World Archery Youth Championships 2025, followed closely too, with one point separating the Indians.
Their compatriot, Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge put up a career-best qualification score of 687 points which had nine Xs, seven less than Seo Mingi, the recurve men individual and men’s team gold medallist at Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games.
The 25-year-old Bhoge’s only previous international medal has been the mixed event gold at the 2019 Asia Cup Leg 1 in Bangkok. He would be looking to build on a strong start to win his first medal at the Asian Championships.
