Bangladesh Shine at Asian Archery Championships 2025 with Historic Silver and Bronze in Compound Events

Bangladesh marked one of its finest outings in the Asian Archery Championships as the national team earned two medals, a silver and a bronze,  both in the compound division. These achievements not only signify historic progress but also highlight the nation’s growing competitiveness in a field traditionally dominated by archery giants like South Korea, India and Iran.

The 2025 edition of the Championships witnessed Bangladesh stepping outside its usual recurve success and proving its capability in the compound category, an area where the country had previously struggled to make a mark. With emerging talents delivering under pressure, the tournament served as a promising sign for the future of Bangladesh archery.

Bangladesh Clinch First-Ever Silver in Compound Mixed Team

Bangladesh’s breakthrough began in the morning session as Bonna Akter and Himu Bachhar secured the silver medal in the compound mixed team event the country’s first ever medal in a compound category at the Asian Archery Championships.

In the final, they went head-to-head with India’s seasoned duo Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha, eventually finishing with 151 points against India’s 153 in a closely contested matchup (35-39, 39-38, 39-38, 38-38). Despite missing out on gold by just two points, the performance highlighted Bangladesh’s ability to challenge top-ranked teams on the continental stage.

Bonna Akter expressed mixed emotions after the final:

“Alhamdulillah. It feels wonderful to have won Bangladesh’s first-ever medal in the compound event of the Asian Archery Championships. We missed out on the gold… we tried our best, but luck plays a part in this sport. We started a bit poorly, and although we tried to recover, we couldn’t quite make it.”

Her partner Himu Bachhar, who made his debut at the tournament, added:

“This was my first time in the Asian Archery Championships. I do lack experience, which showed early on. But winning a medal for Bangladesh for the first time in this event will definitely boost our confidence.”

Kulsum Akter Mone Secures Bronze in Women’s Compound Individual

In the afternoon session, Bangladesh’s medal tally grew as Kulsum Akter Moni clinched the bronze medal in the women’s compound individual event, edging past Si-yu Chen of Chinese Taipei by 145–144.

Bronze Medal Match

The final end proved decisive, with Kulsum producing a brilliant 30 to overturn the deficit and seal the win. With this victory, Bangladesh secured its second medal of the tournament, marking another milestone in this year’s competition.

Kulsum’s Semi-Final Heartbreak

Before her bronze success, Kulsum came agonizingly close to securing a place in the gold medal match. She narrowly lost her semi-final bout to India’s Prithika Pradeep by 145–146, in an intense contest that tested her composure and consistency.

Semi-Final Scores:

The razor-thin one-point loss (145-144) sent her to the bronze medal match, where she made sure to capitalise on her second chance ultimately winning her first-ever medal at the Asian Archery Championships.

After securing bronze, Kulsum reflected on her emotional journey:

“The end of the day was very good for me. But I was scared at first. I thought I might not get anything. But I fought till the end. I finished beautifully.”

Her words capture the spirit of resilience that defined her campaign.

Why These Wins Matter for Bangladesh

1. A New Era in Compound Archery

Bangladesh has traditionally been stronger in recurve events. This year’s performance signals a breakthrough in the compound category adding a new dimension to the country’s international ambitions.

2. Boost in Athlete Confidence

Both Bonna-Himu’s silver and Kulsum’s bronze expand the belief that Bangladeshi archers can stand toe-to-toe with top Asian competitors.

3. Increased Investment Potential

Success at continental events often attracts greater institutional support, sponsorships and specialised coaching. This could be a turning point for Bangladesh Archery Federation to establish long-term compound development programs.

4. Inspiration for the Next Generation

With young names like Himu and Kulsum delivering under pressure, grassroots archers now have clear role models to follow.

Competitive Landscape at the Championships

The Asian Archery Championships remains one of the toughest continental arenas, drawing elite athletes from Kazakhstan, India, Iran, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.

Other results highlighted the level of competition:

Kazakhstan narrowly beat India in the men’s compound team final (230–229).

India defeated Iran 236–234 in the women’s compound team final, with Bangladesh finishing just outside the podium.

Bangladesh’s ability to fight at this level reflects its evolving skillset, technical growth and mental readiness.

Looking Ahead: What Bangladesh Needs Next

1. Broader Talent Pool

More exposure for emerging archers will strengthen the nation’s depth and competitiveness across events.

2. Advanced Training Facilities

Dedicated compound training infrastructure, including upgraded ranges, biomechanics support and performance analytics — can sharpen medal potential.

3. International Exposure

Regular participation in World Cups, Asian Grand Prix tournaments and training camps abroad will help Bangladeshi archers adapt to different pressure environments.

4. Mental Conditioning Programs

As seen from the narrow defeats, performance psychology could play a crucial role in converting close matches into gold.

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s performance in the 2025 Asian Archery Championships was highlighted by silver in compound mixed team and bronze in women’s compound individual which marks a defining chapter in the country’s sporting journey. These medals are not only historic but symbolic of a widening competitive spirit and technical growth in archery.

With promising athletes, growing exposure and increasing public interest, Bangladesh looks prepared to take its next bold steps on the continental and global archery stage.