The capital city of Chhattisgarh is currently the epicenter of young archery talent in India as the 45th NTPC Junior National Archery Championship officially began. The event, which promises intense competition, will run until 30 December 2025, showcasing the future stars of the sport.
Star-Studded Field and Opening Day Results
The championship features an impressive roster of international-caliber athletes, including Olympian Bhajan Kaur, world champion Aditi Swami, and Asian Championship gold medallist Kumud Saini. The opening day focused on the qualification rounds for the Recurve category, with results announced on Tuesday.
In the men's Recurve event, shot over a 70+70 meter distance, Sairaj Dinesh Hanme from Maharashtra emerged as the top qualifier. He secured an excellent score of 684 points out of a possible 720. Close behind him was Uttar Pradesh's Ujjwal Dhama in second place with 674 points, while Rajasthan's Atharv Sharma claimed the third spot with 673 points.
Women's Category and Team Standings
The women's competition, also held at the 70+70 meter distance, saw Kratika Bichpuriya of Madhya Pradesh take the lead. She scored 659 points to finish at the top of the rankings. Madhavi Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh followed closely in second place with 657 points, and Haryana's Tamanna Deshwal secured third with 647 points.
Team events have already demonstrated fierce rivalry. Squads from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Odisha have positioned themselves strongly on the medals tally across both the men's and women's divisions.
What's Next in the Championship?
The tournament, which has drawn junior archers representing 36 states and units from across the nation, now moves into its crucial phases. The schedule for the upcoming days includes the highly anticipated mixed team events and individual elimination rounds. The winners will be awarded their medals following these decisive matches.
This national meet serves as a vital platform for identifying and nurturing the next generation of Indian archery champions, many of whom aim to follow in the footsteps of the established stars competing alongside them.
