Korea’s Kim Jongho and Jang Minhee and India’s Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge and Deepshikha topped qualifying at the 24th Asian Archery Championships today in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bangkok 2023 continental silver medallist Jongho, currently ranked 17th in the world, shot an impressive 715 out of a possible 720 points in the 72-arrow round – just three points shy of Braden Gellenthien’s world record of 718.
Three points behind the Korean, taking the second seed, was experienced Abhishek Verma, while another veteran, Choi Yonghee – world number eight and recent bronze medallist at the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships – was third on 710.
In total, 19 compound men broke the 700-point mark in qualifying at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Five women surpassed the elite benchmark in the bow division, led by Indian youngster Deepshikha on 705.
Close on her heels was Korea’s Park Yerin, silver medallist in the under-21 event at this year’s World Archery Youth Championships in Winnipeg, with 704.
World number two Jyothi Surekha Vennam (703) and promising stars Prithika Pradeep (702) and Chikitha Taniparthi (701) – both medallists in Winnipeg – followed closely, with just one point separating the trio.
Bhoge produced a career-best qualification score of 687 points, including nine X10s – seven fewer than Seo Mingi, the recurve men’s individual and men’s team gold medallist at the Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games.
The 25-year-old’s only previous international medal came in the mixed team event at the 2019 Asia Cup in Bangkok. He will look to build on this strong start to earn his first medal at a continental championships.
Local archers Md Sagor Islam and Abdur Rahman Alif had a challenging day, finishing 38th and 41st with 639 and 637 points, respectively.
The recurve women’s leaderboard was dominated by four Koreans, with Yankton 2021 World Archery Champion Jang leading the way on 675 points, two ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Nam Suhyeon.
Lee Gahyun – who shocked teammate Lim Sihyeon, the reigning Olympic Champion, to win the recurve women’s individual title at the second stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai – was seeded fourth on 669, three points behind Kim Surin.
Competition at the Asian Archery Championships continues in Dhaka on Monday with individual and team eliminations. The event runs through the week. The compound finals are scheduled for Thursday and the recurve finals on Friday.
