The 2022 Asian Games, held in Hangzhou in 2023, marked a significant chapter for Indian archery, and for Vidarbha in particular. Two young men from this central Indian region stood out on the continental stage, redefining India’s standing in compound archery.

Their achievements were not isolated feats but reflected years of structured training, local support, and a growing recognition of archery beyond traditional centres.

The victories of Ojas Pravin Deotale and Prathamesh Jawkar brought the name of Vidarbha into continental sports conversations, underscoring how smaller cities can produce world-class athletes when provided the right ecosystem.

These archers demonstrated technical precision and composure under pressure that resonated far beyond the archery range.

1. Ojas Pravin Deotale: A Triple Gold Trailblazer from Nagpur

Ojas Pravin Deotale, hailing from Nagpur, emerged as one of the brightest faces of Indian archery at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Competing in the compound category, he clinched three gold medals in the men’s individual, mixed team, and men’s team events. His performance was remarkable for its consistency and focus, qualities that were the result of years of disciplined practice.

Ojas’s journey began at local archery ranges in Nagpur, where he trained under limited facilities before joining advanced camps that refined his technique. The 21-year-old’s dominance at the Games was evident in his flawless shooting form, hitting near-perfect scores in elimination rounds and finals.

In the mixed team event, paired with Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Ojas delivered crucial arrows that sealed India’s victory over a strong South Korean side. His composure in the men’s individual final earned him India’s first-ever gold in the compound archery category, setting a benchmark for precision.

His achievements also placed Vidarbha on the international sports map, demonstrating how regional training setups can nurture exceptional talent. Deotale’s victories were a product of both mental discipline and local grassroots encouragement.

Beyond the medals, his success created new interest in archery among Vidarbha’s youth, many of whom began exploring the sport through district-level academies. Ojas Deotale’s triple triumph stands as a symbol of how perseverance and structured effort can elevate athletes from regional origins to global prominence.

2. Prathamesh Jawkar: The Buldhana Archer Behind the Team Gold

From the town of Buldhana, Prathamesh Jawkar brought his sharp focus and technical mastery to the Asian Games, contributing to India’s gold in the men’s compound team event. Alongside Ojas Deotale and Abhishek Verma, he formed a unit that dominated the event from qualification to final.

Their victory over South Korea, a nation traditionally strong in archery, represented a significant shift in competitive balance. Jawkar’s role was crucial in maintaining rhythm and accuracy across rounds, displaying exceptional calm in critical moments.

Jawkar’s journey to this achievement traces back to early participation in junior national championships, where his consistent performances drew attention from national selectors.

His training in Buldhana involved a rigorous routine combining strength conditioning and precision shooting, often under conditions far less advanced than metropolitan setups. Yet his technical finesse in Hangzhou reflected how committed athletes from smaller regions of Vidarbha can match the best in Asia.

This win also marked India’s first men’s compound team gold in Asian Games history, a collective outcome of synchronised teamwork and trust among the trio. Jawkar’s contribution went beyond his individual score; his ability to maintain composure during tie-break rounds proved decisive in India’s final victory.

For Vidarbha, his rise represented the growing depth of sporting talent beyond cricket, with archery now gaining visibility through consistent performances on international platforms. His medal stood as both a personal triumph and a reflection of a region capable of producing disciplined, world-class athletes.

The achievements of Ojas Deotale and Prathamesh Jawkar at the Asian Games were not isolated stories of personal triumph but collective evidence of a changing sports landscape in Vidarbha. Their victories illustrated how athletes from non-metropolitan backgrounds can achieve global success when skill meets structured training. Both archers demonstrated that excellence in precision sports does not depend solely on geography but on persistence and opportunity.

Their performances inspired new initiatives in local sports development, bringing archery equipment, training camps, and awareness into smaller towns. The story of these two archers now forms part of a broader narrative of India’s sporting evolution, where Vidarbha continues to emerge as an important contributor to national success in global competitions.