Ankita Bhakat pulled off the biggest win of her career, stunning Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Nam Suhyeon in a gripping five-set final to secure the recurve women’s gold medal at the 2025 Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka on Friday.
In the tournament’s biggest upset, Bhakat overpowered her Korean opponent 7-3 to claim her first individual continental title – and India’s first-ever recurve women’s individual gold at the Asian Championships.
Level at 3-3 after three sets, the world number 36 stayed composed, delivering four 10s in her final six arrows and a crucial nine with her last shot to close out the match. The 27-year-old had earlier edged senior teammate and former world number one Deepika Kumari in a tight semifinal.
“I’m so happy; this is my biggest win in individual events,” said Bhakat. “Playing in the Archery Premier League has boosted my confidence. I enjoyed shooting today.”
She who was joined on the podium by compatriot Sangeeta. The emerging archer, a silver medallist at the Tashkent Asian Cup, upset Kumari in a dramatic shoot-off to secure bronze.
India’s success continued in the recurve men’s event as Dhiraj Bommadevara matched Bhakat’s heroics. The Central Florida 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup bronze medallist denied Korea the continental title for the first time since Bangkok 2015.
Dhaka 2025 also marked the first time India won both recurve individual gold medals at the Asian Championships.
