Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Telangana Archer Chikitha Wins Two Asian Games Gold Medals
Taniparthi Chikitha is an archer from a village in Telangana.
She became interested in archery and practised with simple targets near her home.
Her father helped her, even though proper equipment and coaching were costly.
She later received structured training at a Sports Authority of India centre.
At the 2026 Asian Games, she won gold in the women’s team event and the mixed-team event.
In the mixed-team final, India beat South Korea in a shoot-off.
The result also earned India two places in the compound mixed-team event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chikitha had earlier won the Under-21 women’s compound title at the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships.
Taniparthi Chikitha won two gold medals in compound archery on her Asian Games debut.
She teamed with Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Prithika Pradeep to beat China 238-234, equalling the world record for a 24-arrow women’s team match.
Chikitha and Sahil Rajesh Jadhav beat South Korea 20-19 in a shoot-off after the mixed-team final was tied 157-157.
The mixed-team victory secured India the two available quota places for the compound event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chikitha’s path included improvised practice in Sultanpur, family financial sacrifices, and training at the Sports Authority of India centre in Sonipat.
- Who
- Taniparthi Chikitha, competing with Indian teammates Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep and Sahil Rajesh Jadhav.
- What
- Chikitha won two compound archery gold medals at the Asian Games; India also secured two quota places for the 2028 Olympics mixed-team event.
- When
- At the 2026 Asian Games; the article also describes her 2025 world title and six months of preparation.
- Where
- The Asian Games; Chikitha is from Sultanpur village in Peddapalli district, Telangana.
- Why
- The medals came through her preparation and performances in the women’s team and mixed-team competitions.
Challenges
Family’s response
Limited local facilities and high costs
Challenges
Sultanpur lacked modern archery facilities, while professional coaching and equipment were costly.
Family’s response
Her father set up makeshift targets near home and in the fields, borrowed money and sold the family’s rice harvester to support her training.
Social criticism
Challenges
Srinivasa Rao said relatives and neighbours criticised him for supporting his daughter’s sporting ambitions and borrowing money.
Family’s response
He said he believed in Chikitha and was prepared to face difficulties to help her become a champion.
- Athlete
- Taniparthi Chikitha, 21, from Sultanpur village in Peddapalli district, Telangana.
- Women’s team final
- India defeated China 238-234; the score equalled the world record for a 24-arrow compound women’s team match.
- Mixed-team final
- India beat South Korea 20-19 in a shoot-off after the match was tied 157-157.
- Olympic qualification
- India secured the two quota places available in the compound mixed-team event for Los Angeles 2028.
- 2025 world title
- Chikitha defeated Yerin Park 142-136 in the Under-21 women’s compound individual final at the World Archery Youth Championships in Winnipeg.
- Training
- She entered the Sports Authority of India system in 2022 and was selected to its centre in Sonipat.
- Family support
- Her father took a Rs 3.5 lakh loan for equipment and training and sold the family’s rice harvester.