Ganesh Mani Ratnam Wins Compound Archery Bronze After Semifinal Heartbreak at Asian Games 2026

India's Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru added an individual bronze to his Asian Games 2026 medal collection after producing a composed performance in the men's compound individual bronze-medal match in Okazaki on Thursday.

The 20-year-old defeated Vietnam's Dang Cong Duc 149-144, finishing the contest with an impressive 14 perfect 10s from 15 arrows. The victory came less than 24 hours after Ganesh had helped India secure gold in the men's compound team event.

Ganesh's route to the bronze-medal contest had included a strong quarterfinal performance against Chinese Taipei's Chieh-Lun Chen, whom he defeated 148-138. He won all five ends and shifted into an attacking rhythm, producing a remarkable run of 10s after finding only two 9s in the opening two series.

However, the semifinal proved a tougher assignment. Ganesh went down 144-148 to South Korea's Kim Jongho, ending his hopes of fighting for the individual gold. He trailed throughout the five-end contest, eventually losing 29-30, 29-30, 29-28, 29-30, 28-30.

Rather than allowing that defeat to derail his campaign, Ganesh responded strongly in the bronze-medal match. His 149-point effort against Dang ensured that he would leave the individual competition with a medal and two Asian Games medals overall.

Gold already secured with India's compound trio

Ganesh had been part of India's historic men's compound team gold alongside Sahil Jadhav and Kushal Dalal on Wednesday.

The Indian trio defeated China 238-237 in a dramatic final to complete India's sweep of all three compound team gold medals at the Games. India had earlier won the women's team and mixed team titles, making the men's victory a clean sweep of the compound team events.

In the men's final, China led 60-58 after the opening end and remained two points ahead after the second. India reduced the deficit to one point in the third end before producing the decisive turnaround in the fourth. The Indian trio held their nerve to finish 238-237 winners.