Bangladesh Clinch First-Ever Asia Cup Gold in Compound Archery

Bangladesh secured the first-ever gold medal in the men’s compound team event at the Asia Cup-World Ranking Tournament (Stage 1) in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday.

The Bangladeshi trio—comprising Himu Bacchar, Aishwarzo Rahman, and Newaz Ahmed Rakib—clinched the title by defeating Vietnam with a score of 231-225 in a high-stakes final.

The Bangladesh team set the tone early, winning the opening set 57-55. Despite a minor setback in the fourth set, where they trailed Vietnam by a single point, their consistent and confident performance throughout the match ensured a six-point overall lead to seal the victory.

While the contingent did not advance to the semi-final rounds in the singles or mixed events earlier in the tournament, the compound team’s success marks a significant breakthrough on the Asian stage. 

The gold-winning squad is expected to return to Dhaka on next Sunday. 

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque has extended his "heartfelt congratulations and best wishes" to the  archery team. 

In a formal congratulatory message, the State Minister expressed his excitement over the archers' landmark achievement. “This continuous success of our archers is a great source of pride for the country’s sports arena,” he stated.

Reflecting on the team's dominant run through the tournament—which included a semi-final victory over Bhutan before the final against Vietnam—Aminul noted the rising stature of the nation in the sport. 

“By defeating Bhutan in the semi-finals and the powerful Vietnam in the final, they have proven that Bangladesh is now an unbeatable power on the world archery map,” he said, adding, “This victory is an inspiration for our young generation.”

The State Minister emphasized that this latest gold is consistent with the upward trajectory of Bangladesh archery in recent years. “I sincerely congratulate the players, coaches and all concerned for this historic achievement,” he said.

He further highlighted that becoming champions on a prestigious stage like the Asia Cup "demonstrated the mental strength of the archers." 

Aminul expressed optimism for the future, noting that this victory would "further strengthen their dream of winning medals in the upcoming Olympics and other international events."