World Archery Championships: India's Historic Gold-Winning Team Bow Out In Individual Quarters

Last Updated:September 08, 2025, 16:57 IST

India's Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge exited World Archery Championships quarterfinals after winning team gold, ending hopes for an individual sweep.

World Archery Championships: India's Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge (X)

India’s impressive run in the men’s compound events of the World Archery Championships came to a disappointing end on Monday as the gold-winning team of Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini, and Prathamesh Fuge were eliminated from the individual quarterfinals.

Despite winning a historic gold in the team competition, the trio was placed in separate quarters of the draw, giving the country a realistic shot at a clean sweep, which ultimately ended in disappointment.

How Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini & Prathamesh Fuge Did At World Archery Championships?

This outcome also meant India couldn’t defend the individual gold medal in the men’s compound section at the World Championship. Ojas Deotale, who became the world champion in Berlin in 2023, couldn’t make the Indian team this time due to stiff competition in the trials. The women’s individual events in the compound competitions are yet to be completed.

Fuge’s remarkable debut run ended against Denmark’s world number two Mathias Fullerton, who won 148-148 (10-9) in the shoot-off during a thrilling quarterfinal. In a battle of two 22-year-olds, Fuge, fresh from his sensational demolition of world number one Mike Schloesser in the pre-quarters with a perfect 150 out of 150, had the early advantage and led 119-118 until the fourth end. However, a dropped point at the start of the final end proved costly as Fullerton drew level 148-148 before securing the shoot-off with a perfect 10 against Fuge’s 9.

After the mid-day break, Fuge continued his morning momentum, scoring seven consecutive 10s before dropping his first point in the third end. His seven 10s meant Fuge shot 23 perfect scores. Despite this, Fullerton responded with a flawless series of 10s, setting up a nail-biting finish. Fuge reclaimed the lead in the fourth end as the Dane faltered, but a 9 in the deciding end dashed the Indian’s hopes as Fullerton stayed perfect.

India’s number one Rishabh Yadav also went down fighting, losing 145-146 to eventual world champion Nicolas Girard of France. Yadav, who had won team gold and mixed team silver with Jyothi Surekha Vennam on Sunday, squandered a one-point lead in the penultimate round, dropping two points in the final end to bow out of medal contention.

Saini, meanwhile, lost 144-147 to American Curtis Broadnax, ensuring that none of the three Indians could carry forward the momentum from Sunday’s historic performance.

Earlier in the morning session, Fuge, the lowest-ranked Indian qualifier in the men’s compound section with a seeding of 19th, produced the biggest upset of his career by knocking out world number one and 2013 world champion Schloesser of the Netherlands. Fuge, making his world championship debut, was flawless, shooting a perfect 150 out of 150, hitting 10s with all 15 arrows. Both archers began in extraordinary fashion, shooting 10s across the first three ends. Schloesser finally cracked under pressure, dropping a point in the fourth end. Fuge, showing remarkable composure, continued his run of 10s to clinch the tie.

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

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