Learn From Losses: 'Senior Archers' Dhiraj & Jyothi Prepare For Asian Games Challenge In A New Look Indian Squad

Indian archery is entering a phase of transition, with a lot of cutting and chopping in the 12-member team that has been presented by the Archery Association of India in the upcoming Asian Games 2026. Several household names in archery have been left out of the squad that will be travelling to Aichi, Nagoya.

Interestingly, defending Asian Games champions in compound archery, Ojas Deotale, has also been left out of the team. Also missing were Olympian Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, who finished fourth on the trials and narrowly missed out on the final qualification mark. Das was part of the 2022 Asian Games, where he helped the team win a silver medal. However, this time he fails to find his place on the bandwagon travelling to Japan.

The 12-member squad was finalised after the second phase and final selection trials for the Asian Games and Archery World Cup Stages 3 and 4 at the SAI NCOE in Sonipat, Haryana. In the end, three men and three women each were selected in the recurve and compound categories were selected.

As a result of this, several new names in the squad get a chance to showcase their talents. The men's recurve team will be led by Dhiraj Bommadevara, while the female compound team will be led by Jyothi Surekha Vennam. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Asian Games 2026, Dhiraj and Jyoti responded to MyKhel's questions about their mindset and the state of the recurve competition leading into the Asiad.

'Learn From Losses': Dhiraj Bommadevara Gears Up For Asiad

Speaking about his recent success at the Asian Archery Championships, Dhiraj Bommadevara acknowledged that the historic performance has boosted both his confidence and that of the team ahead of the Asian Games 2026, but he remained grounded in his approach.

He emphasised that while the achievement was significant, especially in breaking the dominance of powerhouse teams like South Korea, it was only one step in a longer journey. Dhiraj highlighted that his focus has always been on learning from every tournament, regardless of the outcome.

"More than winning, I feel I learn more from losses," he said, adding that his success at the Asian Championships was built on lessons from previous setbacks, including underwhelming performances on the world stage last year.

He underlined that his belief stems from thorough preparation and strong team support. "We now know that we can win, and I will continue to build on the positive things I've learned," he added, identifying confidence and consistency as key factors heading into the Games.

Looking ahead to the Asian Games, Dhiraj expressed confidence in both his preparation and the strength of the competition. He pointed out that Asia remains one of the toughest regions in archery, with countries like Korea, Japan, and China consistently performing at a high level.

Jyothi Surekha On Leading 'Revamped' Compound Team

Meanwhile, Jyothi Surekha Vennam addressed questions about her long-term ambitions, including the possibility of competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where compound archery is expected to feature.

Jyothi said that while the thought of representing India at the Olympics is motivating, her immediate focus remains firmly on upcoming competitions like the Asian Games and World Cups. "I just want to stay in the present and maintain my performance," she noted, while expressing hope of making it to the Olympic stage in the future.

On being entrusted with a leadership role at a major event like the Asian Games, Jyothi dismissed any notion of added pressure. She credited the rigorous selection trials for ensuring that every member of the squad is capable and battle-tested.

According to her, the team environment is built on openness and shared learning rather than hierarchy. "Everyone brings their own experience, and we are always open to learning from each other," she said.

Jyothi also highlighted the collective effort within the team, including the role of coaches, as India looks to deliver a strong performance at the continental event.

Dhiraj & Jyothi Hail TOPS Scheme

Both Dhiraj Bommadevara and Jyothi Surekhan Vennam hailed the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core group for providing valuable support in their journey. Dhiraj Bommadevara has so far received financial assistance of around ₹66.28 lakh under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle. Meanwhile, compound ace Jyothi Surekha Vennam has been supported with nearly ₹24.56 lakh.

Jyothi also benefited from a personalised foreign training camp at the Beiter Archery Centre from July 20 to August 5, 2025. Additionally, TOPS facilitated the engagement of sports psychologist Shree Advani to strengthen her mental conditioning.

The support is part of a broader preparation programme. Earlier this year, a Mexico training camp (March 26-April 5), funded by NTPC CSR at ₹57.42 lakh, included archers like Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, providing key international exposure.