The Top 5 Indian Archers aren’t just champions of the sport—they are shining examples of precision, power, and perseverance. Over the years, Indian archery has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a niche discipline to a mainstream competitive sport with global recognition. At the heart of this evolution stand India’s elite female archers, whose trailblazing efforts have elevated the nation’s status in international tournaments.
From winning medals at prestigious events like the World Archery Championships and the Asian Games to standing tall on the Olympic stage, these women have shown that Indian athletes can not only compete but dominate against the best. Their remarkable composure under pressure, technical mastery, and relentless drive have made them household names and national heroes.
Whether in recurve or compound categories, the Top 5 Indian Archers have consistently delivered world-class performances. They’ve set national records, climbed world rankings, and secured podium finishes that have inspired aspiring archers across India. But beyond their medals and rankings lies something deeper—their role in transforming archery into a sport of national pride and aspiration.
These women have overcome social and financial challenges, trained in tough conditions, and still emerged as world-class talents. Each arrow they’ve released carries the weight of personal sacrifice and national hopes. Their journeys reflect the spirit of modern India: resilient, ambitious, and ready to take on the world.
This list celebrates the elite female archers who’ve not only brought honour to the country but have also paved the way for future generations. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 Indian Archers who continue to shoot for history—and inspire a nation while doing it.
Top 5 Indian Archers (Female) you must know:
5. Ankita Bhakat
Ankita Bhakat is a rising star in Indian recurve archery and a deserving name among the Top 5 Indian Archers. Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, Ankita has steadily climbed the ranks with her impressive performances in national and international competitions. Her poise on the shooting line and ability to hold her nerve in close contests have made her a key member of India’s women’s recurve team.
Ankita first gained attention with her performances in the junior circuit, where she represented India at the Youth Olympics and World Youth Championships. She transitioned smoothly into the senior category, becoming a regular at World Cup events. One of her biggest career highlights came in 2021 when she teamed up with veteran Deepika Kumari to win gold in the Archery World Cup Stage 1 (women’s recurve team).
Known for her graceful form and strong release, Ankita has been a consistent scorer in team events and has also reached finals in individual brackets. Her presence in Olympic trials and steady national rankings make her one of India’s most dependable archers on the rise.
As she continues to grow in confidence and international exposure, Ankita Bhakat stands tall among the Top 5 Indian Archers, symbolizing the next generation of elite Indian archery talent.
| Best Event | Women’s Recurve Team |
| Highlights | World Cup Team Gold (2021) |
4. Komalika Bari
Komalika Bari is one of India’s brightest young stars in recurve archery and has firmly earned her place among the Top 5 Indian Archers. Hailing from Jharkhand—the same state as Deepika Kumari—Komalika has followed in the footsteps of legends while carving a unique legacy of her own. What sets her apart is her calm demeanor, razor-sharp focus, and composure in high-stakes matches, even at a young age.
She burst onto the international scene by winning the World Youth Archery Championship in 2019. In 2021, Komalika made history by becoming the World Under-21 Recurve Champion, making her the second Indian woman after Deepika Kumari to win a world title at the youth level. She has also represented India at the Archery World Cup and contributed to strong finishes in team events.
Komalika’s shooting style is marked by fluid technique and a strong finish—critical traits for long-term success in recurve archery. Coaches and analysts often praise her ability to remain unfazed in pressure situations, a skill well beyond her years.
Still in the early phase of her senior career, Komalika continues to be one of the most exciting prospects in Indian archery. Her performance trajectory and maturity make her a strong force among the Top 5 Indian Archers today.
| Best Event | Recurve Youth & U-21 Individual |
| Highlights | U-21 World Champion (2021) |
3. Dola Banerjee
Dola Banerjee is a pioneer in Indian archery and a legend among the Top 5 Indian Archers. Born in Kolkata, Dola became the first Indian woman archer to qualify for the Olympics (Beijing 2008) and was instrumental in laying the foundation for the sport’s growth among Indian women. Her elegance, consistency, and ability to rise in pressure situations made her an icon during a time when archery received limited attention in India.
Dola made headlines when she won the 2007 Archery World Cup Final, becoming the first Indian archer to do so. She also brought home medals from the Commonwealth Games, Asian Archery Championships, and various World Cup stages. Her leadership as captain of the Indian recurve team helped groom future stars like Deepika Kumari.
She was honoured with the Arjuna Award for her contributions to Indian sport and continues to be a strong advocate for women’s participation in competitive archery. Dola’s legacy is one of firsts—first Olympian, first World Cup champion, and a true inspiration to countless aspiring archers across India. Her inclusion in the Top 5 Indian Archers is not just about performance, but about her pioneering role in shaping the future of Indian women in the sport.
| Best Event | Women’s Recurve Team |
| Highlights | World Cup Final Gold (2007) |
2. Jyothi Surekha Vennam
Jyothi Surekha Vennam has redefined excellence in compound archery and stands tall among the Top 5 Indian Archers. Born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Jyothi was a national-level swimmer before she picked up the bow. Her transition to archery was nothing short of game-changing for India’s presence in the compound discipline.
Jyothi became the youngest archer to represent India internationally and has since built a legacy filled with consistency, medals, and history-making moments. She has won multiple World Cup gold medals, team titles, and mixed events, showcasing not just skill but team synergy. Her crowning achievement came at the 2023 Asian Games, where she won three gold medals, becoming the first Indian archer to do so in a single edition.
Her precise form, unwavering focus, and control under pressure have made her one of the most feared names in international compound events. In recognition of her contribution to Indian sports, Jyothi received the Arjuna Award in 2017.
More than just a medal machine, Jyothi has been pivotal in bringing respect and visibility to compound archery in India. With her record-setting performances, she continues to inspire the next wave of talent and firmly holds her place among the Top 5 Indian Archers of all time.
| Best Event | Women’s Compound Individual |
| Highlights | 3× Gold Medals, 2023 Asian Games |
1. Deepika Kumari
Deepika Kumari is undoubtedly the most iconic name in Indian archery and rightfully sits at the top of the Top 5 Indian Archers list. Born in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Deepika’s journey began with makeshift bamboo bows, but her talent quickly caught national attention when she joined the Tata Archery Academy. At just 16, she captured global headlines by winning gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and her career has only soared since then.
A three-time Olympian (London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), Deepika has represented India with unwavering determination on the biggest sporting stage. She became World No. 1 in women’s recurve archery multiple times and has won several gold medals at the Archery World Cup, both in individual and team events. Known for her calm under pressure and graceful shooting technique, Deepika is widely admired across the archery world.
Beyond the field, she has received top honors like the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri. Deepika’s story is not just about medals—it’s about breaking barriers, inspiring young women across India, and setting a global standard for Indian archers. Her legacy continues to grow with every arrow she releases.
| Best Event | Women’s Recurve Individual |
| Highlights | Former World No. 1, 3× Olympian |
FAQs
Q1. Who is the No.1 female archer in India?
Deepika Kumari is widely regarded as the No.1 female archer in India. A former World No.1 in recurve archery, she has represented India in three Olympic Games and has multiple World Cup gold medals to her name.
Q2. Who are the Top 5 Indian Archers in women’s archery?
The Top 5 Indian Archers in women’s archery are Deepika Kumari, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Dola Banerjee, Komalika Bari, and Ankita Bhakat. These athletes have consistently represented India in international competitions.
Q3. Has any Indian female archer won a world title?
Yes, both Deepika Kumari and Komalika Bari have won individual world titles at youth and under-21 levels, while Jyothi Surekha Vennam has won medals at the senior World Archery Championships in compound archery.
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