A Day of Arrows and Records: Rishabh Yadav and Jyothi Surekha Vennam Rewrite History in Madrid
At the fourth stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid, Rishabh Yadav and Jyothi Surekha Vennam didn’t just aim for gold; they struck a world record. Shooting in the mixed team compound qualifying round, the duo combined their best-ever performances to achieve a staggering score of 1431, breaking the previous world record of 1429 held by Denmark’s Tanja Gellenthien and Mathias Fullerton. For Rishabh and Jyothi, this was more than just another day of competition. It was a moment of realization, of years of effort finally converging into a perfect rhythm under the Spanish sun.Personal Bests and Peak PerformanceAt just 22 years old and only in his second season on the international circuit, Rishabh Yadav stunned the archery world by leading the compound men’s qualification from start to finish. Shooting in sweltering conditions, he opened with a perfect 300 and ended with a career-best 716, narrowly missing the all-time world record of 718. His 68 arrows in the 10-ring, including 35 Xs, were a demonstration of remarkable consistency and focus. His world-record partner, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, was just as brilliant on the women’s side. The reigning Asian Games champion posted a personal best of 715 to top the compound women’s qualifying round. For Jyothi, it was a return to form and a moment of clarity.India on Top in Team RankingsIndia's dominance in Madrid wasn't limited to the mixed team event. Thanks to stellar individual performances, the Indian men’s and women’s compound teams also claimed the top seeds. With their performances in Madrid, both Yadav and Vennam have secured spots at the Hyundai World Archery Championships in Gwangju later this year. But their vision reaches even further ahead to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, where compound mixed team archery will make its Olympic debut. Now holding the world record, Yadav and Jyothi are quickly becoming a formidable force in world archery. Their trajectory suggests more records could fall and medals could follow on the Olympic stage.The Heart Behind the ArrowsBeyond the numbers, scores, and medals, Madrid 2025 showed us the heart behind the sport. Rishabh Yadav, with his vibrant energy and focus, is a symbol of India's next generation of athletes: unafraid, passionate, and precise. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, with her determination, continues to be an example to aspiring archers, showing that peak performance can coexist with humility. Together, they created a memory that was beyond sport. They didn’t just shoot arrows in Madrid; they shot straight into the hearts of fans across the world.
