Asian Games Silver Again: India’s Recurve Team Falls To South Korea

India's wait for a men's recurve team gold at the Asian Games continued as Neeraj Chauhan, Yashdeep Bhoge and Dhiraj Bommadevara were beaten 1-5 by South Korea in the final at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square on Friday.

The Indian trio had to settle for silver after a contest in which the nine-time Asian Games champions steadily took control following a closely fought opening set. The defeat also mirrored India's result from Hangzhou 2023, when the team lost the final to South Korea and finished with silver.

Bommadevara was part of that team as well, making this his second successive Asian Games silver in the event.

India unable to capitalise on opening set

The final began on an even footing, with both teams producing 56 points from their opening six arrows.

India had an opportunity to seize the initiative late in the set, requiring 28 from their final three arrows to move ahead. Instead, the Indian archers managed 10, 8 and 9, leaving them level with South Korea and earning one point apiece.

That narrow opening soon gave way to a decisive shift in momentum.

South Korea raised the standard in the second set, producing four 10s on their way to 57 points. India, meanwhile, could not find a single 10 and dropped the set 50-57.

Yashdeep and Neeraj each recorded an eight, while Dhiraj also struggled to maintain consistency, leaving India 1-3 behind and with little margin for error.

Korea hold their nerve to seal Asian Games gold

India needed to take the third set to keep the final alive and initially gave themselves a chance.

Neeraj opened with a 10, while Yashdeep and Dhiraj followed with nines as India accumulated 28 from their first three arrows. South Korea matched that total, keeping the pressure firmly on the Indian trio.

The crucial moment came with India's fourth arrow, when Neeraj could only manage a seven. Yashdeep followed with a nine and Dhiraj a 10, leaving India with 54 points for the set.

South Korea needed 27 from their final three arrows to close out the contest. They delivered 28, finishing the set 56-54 and securing the gold with a 5-1 victory.

For India, the result brings another silver medal in the men's recurve team event, but also underlines the gap that remains against a South Korean side that has dominated the discipline at the Asian Games.

The Indian trio will now turn their attention to the individual competition, with Bommadevara among the country's leading medal contenders.