New bow, same old Sahil Jadhav: Asian Games double medallist raring to go at more laurels

Sahil Jadhav booked an Olympic quota for India with his mixed team gold at Asian Games, but will need a strong showing in domestic competitions to seal a ticket to LA. | Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar

Looking to work on his game prior to an important calendar, Asian Games compound men’s and mixed team gold medallist Sahil Jadhav was pleased after shooting with a new bow at the National Archery Championships at the Parade Ground in Shillong on Friday.

Jadhav, a World University Games individual gold medalist who secured mixed team gold with Chikitha Taniparthi and men’s team gold with Kushal Dalal and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scored 702 points in the qualification round here.

“I felt good using the new bow, an upgraded version of the previous one, at a competition for the first time. It was nice and smooth. The poundage remains the same at 58 pounds. I didn’t make too many changes,” Jadhav, representing his employer Railways, told Sportstar.

The 25-year-old, hailing from Maharashtra, was happy that the hectic period, which included felicitation functions and travel following his Asian Games success, was finally over.

“It was quite a busy period with a lot of travel. Now, I need to focus on my game,” said Jadhav, aiming to do well in the packed 2027 calendar, studded with four World Cup Stages and the World Championships and other important competitions.

For Jadhav, it will be a continuous quest for excellence in the run-up to the 2028 Olympics. With Chikitha, he claimed a mixed team Olympic quota place by winning the Asiad gold. Since the quota belongs to the country, he needs to give his best in a competitive domestic field in order to book his ticket to Los Angeles.