Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru secured his place in the quarterfinals of the men’s compound individual competition at the Asian Games by narrowly defeating fellow Indian Sahil Jadhav with a score of 149-148. The match, which took place on September 28, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, was intensely competitive and saw both archers demonstrating exceptional precision throughout.

The bout reached a critical climax, with Ganesh managing to pull ahead in the final moments after maintaining his composure under pressure. His victory followed a prior win against Indonesia’s Sostar Andaru Rinaldi, where Ganesh triumphed with a score of 144-142 in the round of 32.

With this win, Ganesh is now the only Indian archer left in the men’s individual compound category, setting the stage for a match against Chen Chieh-lun of Chinese Taipei in the upcoming quarterfinals scheduled for October 1.

Jadhav’s Strong Start Cut Short

Before facing Ganesh, Jadhav had a commendable run in the competition, notably defeating Mongolia’s Jamiyangombo Purevdorj with a solid score of 149-137 in the round of 32. His elimination marks the end of his quest for a medal at this event as he was bested by a compatriot in what was both a competitive and emotional match.

The defeat not only underscores the high level of talent present among Indian archers but also highlights the collaborative yet competitive spirit that can exist within a single nation’s athletes.

As a consequence of this result, Ganesh stands as the sole representative for India in the men’s individual compound event, emphasising the pressure now on him as he progresses in the tournament.

India’s Archery Team Thrives in Team Events

India’s archery team has exhibited strong performances throughout the Games, notably advancing all five of its teams into the semifinals following their actions on September 28. Both the men’s and women’s recurve teams, along with the recurve mixed team, have made it to the final rounds, as have the men’s and women’s compound teams, suggesting a robust presence in the tournament.

The advancements reflect the hard work and preparation of the Indian archery contingent leading up to the Asian Games and showcase the depth of talent within the teams. As the individual competition continues with the quarterfinals looming, the archers’ consistent performance augurs well for future events.

While focusing on archery, other Indian athletes are also engaged in competitions on Day 9 of the Games, displaying the nation’s diverse sporting capabilities and aspirations for medal successes across various disciplines.

Other Competitions on Day 9 of the Asian Games

On the same day, India’s Sivaraj Babu concluded his participation in the men’s shortboard surfing event after losing in Round 3. He faced the Philippines’ Alciso Jayuard and was defeated with a final score of 7.83 to 11.50. This outcome highlights the challenges faced by athletes across different sports in the Games.

Additionally, the Indian men’s cricket team is set to compete against Afghanistan in their quarterfinal match. As the defending champions, they aim to secure a second consecutive gold medal after their victory at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

Numerous Indian athletes will also participate in medal events on Day 9. This includes Avinash Sable in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Murali Sreeshankar in the men’s long jump, and multiple participants in the javelin throw and middle-distance races, showcasing India’s versatile athletic prowess.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share