Kolkata, August 7: Sahil Jadhav is an emerging name in Indian archery. His next goal is to win a medal for the country at the Asian Games 2026. Interestingly, his inspiration comes not from another archer but from Australian cricket legend Shane Watson.
In an interview with SAI Media, Jadhav shared, “I started reading Shane Watson’s book, ‘The Winner’s Mindset,’ about a month ago. My initial intention was to reduce the time I spent scrolling on my phone. I gained valuable insights on handling pressure and maintaining focus during competitions.”
At just 25 years old, Jadhav faced seven years of disappointment before clinching his first national title and securing a spot in the Indian squad.
“I began archery at the age of 19. My family has been incredibly supportive. They made significant sacrifices and stood by me during tough years, helping me in every way possible. It took me seven years to win my first national medal. It was a test of patience and courage, as I missed out by a narrow margin each year,” he explained.
Jadhav won his first national medal in 2024. He secured gold at the Senior Nationals and followed it up with gold in the individual category and silver in the team event at the World University Games 2025.
“When I stood on the podium, I thought about my parents, their sacrifices, and the struggles I faced over the years,” he said.
Hailing from Satara, Jadhav is in excellent form this year. He achieved his career-best result by winning a bronze medal in the men’s individual compound event at the Archery World Cup 2026 Stage 2 held in Shanghai, China, earlier this year.
He remarked, “Getting selected for the Indian team is one of the toughest challenges in the world. If we have made it to the Indian team, it means we have the potential to defeat the best players globally. However, sometimes our archers falter under pressure, making minor mistakes or falling behind by a point or two. We have lost bronze medals in three World Cups this way. As we head into the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, we need to focus on these ‘small’ details to overcome global archery powerhouses like South Korea, China, and Japan. If we give our 100%, the results will be better.”
Currently, Jadhav is training at SAI’s National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, focusing on the upcoming Asian Games.
He stated, “The conditions here are perfect for training. I have been training at SAI for the past 3-4 years. We are very grateful to SAI for taking care of our training, accommodation, food, equipment, and other facilities. SAI has played a crucial role in my international success.”
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