Indian Archer Chikitha Taniparthi Exits Quarterfinals at Asian Games

Okazaki, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : Chikitha Taniparthi of India was eliminated from the women’s compound individual event at the Asian Games 2026, held in Okazaki, after a narrow defeat. Competing against Indonesia’s Nurisa Dian Ashrifa, Chikitha lost 144-143 in a closely contested quarterfinal match at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square.

Chikitha struggled in the first two rounds but mounted a comeback in the third, taking the lead. However, her performance in the final round, where she scored 8, 9, and 10, proved insufficient. Nurisa secured the win with scores of 10, 10, and 9.

This marks the first time India has failed to defend its gold medal in the compound event since winning all five golds at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games. Earlier in the tournament, Chikitha had claimed two gold medals in Aichi-Nagoya, winning both the women’s team event and the mixed team title, while also securing a quota for the Los Angeles Olympics.

The Indian compound archery team, consisting of Chikitha, Prithika Pradeep, and Jyoti Surekha Vennam, successfully defended their gold medal by defeating China 238-234 in the finals. The team had previously won silver in 2018 and bronze in 2014.

In the semifinals, the trio overcame South Korea and set a world record score of 238 in the final, breaking the previous record set by the Korean team in Incheon 2014.

Chikitha also won the mixed team gold medal alongside Sahil Jadhav. They triumphed over South Korea’s Park Jung-yoon and Choi Yong-hee in a shoot-off after finishing the final round tied at 157-157. This victory earned India a quota for the compound mixed team event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where this event will debut.

Additionally, Sahil secured his second gold medal in the men’s team event. Alongside teammates Kushal Dalal and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumur, he led a remarkable comeback against China to claim the gold.