Indian archer Vaishnavi Pawar led the team to a silver medal in the U-18 women’s recurve category at the 2024 Asian Youth Archery Championship held in Chinese Taipei.
The Indian team, consisting of Vaishnavi, Pranjal Tholiya, and Jannat, showcased their talent by defeating strong opponents and reaching the final.
Vaishnavi, who took the first shot in each round, played a key role in helping India surpass the highly regarded South Korean team in a thrilling semifinal shoot-off.
In the final, India found themselves down 2-4 against the host nation, Chinese Taipei, but fought back to force another shoot-off.
Despite their strong effort, Chinese Taipei emerged victorious, leaving India with a well-deserved silver medal.
Reflecting on the achievement, Vaishnavi said, “I am incredibly proud to represent India alongside my teammates. Beating South Korea in the semifinals was a significant milestone for us.” She added that winning silver is a testament to the team’s dedication and motivates her to aim for even greater success in the future.
Hailing from Malkapur Village in the Latur district of Maharashtra, Vaishnavi currently trains in Pune. She secured her place in the championship by finishing fourth in the trials. She also reached the quarterfinals in the individual category, further highlighting her potential as a rising star in Indian archery.
She was extended financial assistance by the Punit Balan Group in July last year after being impressed with her prodigal talent. The PBG supports the 16-year-old with her training and competition funding and helps her with equipment and other support.