Key points
- India won nine archery medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: five gold, two silver and two bronze, according to the Indian Olympic Association.
- Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru praised the achievement as a significant milestone for Indian archery at an event in Gurugram on November 5.
- The 20-year-old won men's compound team gold with Sahil Jadhav and Kushal Dalal and an individual bronze at the Games.
- Ganesh defeated Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang 149-144 in the men's compound individual bronze-medal match.
- He said his first Asian Games experience was memorable and highlighted the learning he gained alongside senior archers Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam.
- With compound archery set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, Ganesh said he was looking forward to selection trials and improving alongside experienced teammates.
Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru has praised India's nine-medal haul in archery at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, describing the result as a significant milestone for the sport. India topped the archery medal table with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals across the recurve and compound events, according to the Indian Olympic Association.
Ganesh, who contributed a men's compound team gold and an individual bronze, spoke about the achievement on the sidelines of Satya School's annual sports day, ‘Satyan Spardha 2026’, in Gurugram on November 5. The 20-year-old said he was proud to have won medals for India at his first Asian Games.
India finishes top of the archery medal table
India's nine medals included five gold, two silver and two bronze, a return that placed the country at the top of the archery standings in Aichi-Nagoya. The Indian Olympic Association identified archery as one of the standout contributors to the country's performance across Olympic sports at the Games.
India's overall campaign ended with 85 medals — 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze — to finish fourth in the overall standings. The archery haul formed part of a broad performance across disciplines, with the IOA noting that India won 78 medals in the Olympic sports programme.
Ganesh dedicated the archery achievement to the Sports Authority of India, the Indian Olympic Association, NTPC, his sponsors and supporters. He called the nine-medal return a major moment for Indian archery and recognised the institutions and people who support athletes through their preparation and competition programmes.
Ganesh's two-medal Asian Games debut
Ganesh was among the Indian archers who contributed to the medal tally. He won gold in the men's compound team event alongside Sahil Jadhav and Kushal Dalal. He added an individual bronze after defeating Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang 149-144 in the third-place match.
The individual medal came after Ganesh reached the semifinals, where he lost to South Korea's Kim Jongho. He then recovered to win the bronze-medal contest against Cong, giving him a second podium finish at his first Asian Games. The result added an individual medal to the team title he had already secured.
Ganesh said winning medals for India had made the experience especially memorable. He also recalled the emotion of hearing the national anthem during the medal ceremony, describing the moment on the podium as something difficult to put into words.
Learning from experienced Indian archers
The young archer also spoke about the value of competing and training alongside senior Indian archers Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam. He described the opportunity as an honour and said the experience brought learning and growth, particularly during the World Cup period.
For athletes entering the senior international circuit, exposure to established competitors can provide technical and competitive lessons beyond the results sheet. Ganesh's comments reflected the importance of the wider team environment and the role experienced athletes can play in helping younger archers adjust to major events.
His Asian Games campaign combined a team title with an individual podium finish, giving him experience in both formats. The results also place him among the Indian compound archers preparing for the next major stage in the sport's development.
Focus shifts to Los Angeles 2028 selection
Compound archery is scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, adding a new opportunity for athletes in the discipline. Ganesh said he was looking forward to the selection trials and understood that competition for places in India's mixed team would be demanding.
He said his immediate focus was on sharpening his skills and continuing to learn from senior archers around him. With selection still to be decided through the relevant trials, his comments were focused on preparation rather than assuming a place at the Olympics.
The Olympic addition gives Indian compound archers a new target after the success in Aichi-Nagoya. India's medal performance at the Asian Games has provided a strong team result, while individual athletes now face the task of maintaining form and earning selection for the next cycle.
Taking the achievement back to young athletes
Ganesh attended Satya School's annual sports day as chief guest, where he presented medals and prizes and demonstrated archery to students. He also spoke about balancing academics and sport, highlighting time management, discipline and communication between athletes, academies and school management.
His message linked the national team's Asian Games success with the support systems needed to develop future athletes. Ganesh said schools and academies can help young competitors manage education and training when expectations are communicated clearly and physical fitness is given importance.
India's nine archery medals in Aichi-Nagoya provided the backdrop for the occasion. For Ganesh, the campaign was both a personal milestone and part of a wider national achievement, while the road to Los Angeles 2028 now gives him another goal to work towards through the selection process.
Frequently asked questions
How many archery medals did India win at the 2026 Asian Games?
India won nine archery medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: five gold, two silver and two bronze. The Indian Olympic Association confirmed the total, adding that India topped the archery medal table at the Games.
Which medals did Ganesh Mani Ratnam win at the Asian Games?
Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won gold in the men's compound team event alongside Sahil Jadhav and Kushal Dalal. He also secured bronze in the men's compound individual event after defeating Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang 149-144.
Who did Ganesh Mani Ratnam defeat to win individual bronze?
Ganesh defeated Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang 149-144 in the men's compound individual bronze-medal match at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The victory gave him his second medal of the competition after the men's compound team gold.
What did Ganesh Mani Ratnam say about India's archery performance?
Speaking at Satya School's annual sports day in Gurugram, Ganesh described India's nine-medal archery performance as a significant achievement for the sport. He dedicated the success to the Sports Authority of India, Indian Olympic Association, NTPC, sponsors and supporters.
Is compound archery part of the 2028 Olympic Games?
Compound archery is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Ganesh said he was excited about the selection trials and the opportunity to compete for a place in the mixed-team event.