Asian Games debutant Chikitha Taniparthi clinches two archery gold medals for India

Twenty-one-year-old compound archer Chikitha Taniparthi marked her Asian Games debut in Nagoya, Japan, by winning two gold medals, vindicating a sports path chosen by her father. Hailing from Sultanpur village in Telangana's Peddapalli district, she clinched the women's team gold alongside Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Prithika Pradeep, before teaming up with Sahil Jadhav to win the mixed team top honours against Korea in a tense shoot-off that also secured a quota place for the LA2028 Olympics.

Path To Archery

Her father, a farmer, wanted her to play an individual sport because of his own unfulfilled athletic aspirations, a resolve strengthened after watching Saina Nehwal win an Olympic medal. She initially practiced karate from the 6th to 8th grade and earned a black belt. Her introduction to archery came through a toy bow gifted by her uncle on Dussehra, followed by trying a recurve Decathlon bow in Hyderabad. Realizing her potential, her father took a loan to buy upgraded equipment, and she began pursuing the sport seriously in 2018 before joining the junior camp in 2021 and training in Sonepat since 2022 under the guidance of Abhishek Verma.

Overcoming Struggles

Reflecting on her journey, she noted that her native place lacked the proper facilities for archery, prompting her to message Abhishek Verma's wife for training opportunities. After becoming the world youth champion last year and winning team silver medals at the World Cups in 2025 and 2026, she faced a difficult period struggling with her shooting aim. To stay calm, she practices meditation and breathing exercises twice a day.

Context

Compound archery has grown rapidly in India, with national athletes regularly competing at the highest international levels and winning major global titles. Success at multi-sport events like the Asian Games often relies on early family support and dedicated national camps established across various sports hubs in the country.