In a finale marked by precision, resilience and strategic execution, Bangladesh closed the curtain on the 24th TIR Asian Archery Championships 2025 with two historic medals, as the week-long continental meet, featuring archers from 30 nations, came to an end under Dhaka's clear November sky.
The tournament began at the National Stadium last week and concluded on Friday at the Army Stadium, showcasing both sporting excellence and organisational discipline.
Bangladesh's medal haul comprised a silver in the compound mixed team event, courtesy of Himu Bachhar and Bonna Akter, and a bronze in the women's compound individual, won by Kulsum Akter Moni, a breakthrough performance in her first international competition. Their achievement stood out proudly amid India's sweeping dominance and South Korea's consistent podium presence.
India emerged as the overall champions with 10 medals, six gold, three silver, and a bronze, demonstrating tactical sharpness across recurve and compound events. South Korea followed with two gold, four silver and four bronze, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse of the discipline.
Friday's finals began with a commanding display from South Korea, whose recurve women's trio, JANG Minhee, KIM Surin and NAM Suhyeon, secured gold 6-0 against Chinese Taipei. In the recurve men's team final, India prevailed in a dramatic shoot-off, with Bhoge Yashdeep Sanjay, Das Atanu and Rahul Rahul edging South Korea by virtue of an inner-ten in a tight 29-29 tie-break.
Chinese Taipei clinched gold in the recurve mixed team event, while South Korea secured bronze with Jang Minhee and Seo Mingi overpowering India 6-0.
The afternoon session saw India extend their race. Ankita Bhakat sealed gold in the women's recurve singles, defeating South Korea's Nam Suhyeon 7-3. Fellow Indian Deepika Kumari earned bronze through a razor-thin shoot-off win. The championship concluded with an all-Indian contest in the men's recurve singles, where Bommadevara Dhiraj captured gold over compatriot Rahul, while South Korean SEO Mingi secured bronze.
Bangladesh Archery Federation leaders hailed both the organisational success and the athletes' performance. Federation President Dr Mokhlesur Rahman emphasised the growing global stature of Bangladeshi archery, while Asian Archery Federation President Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapal applauded Kulsum Moni's bronze as "a remarkable achievement for a young debutant."
In a further boost, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced that each of Bangladesh's three medallists will receive BDT 10 lac, a move welcomed by the athletes as a catalyst for long-term commitment and talent retention.
