Madhura Dhamangaonkar, a prominent Indian archer, has indeed been selected for the closed selection trial for the Indian Compound Archery Team, which will compete at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China. This selection is a significant step in her career, reflecting her recent impressive performances on the international stage.

Madhura, hailing from Amravati, has been training under the guidance of Pravin Sawant at the Drushti Archery Academy in Satara. Sawant has played a crucial role in her recent successes, particularly in refining her technique and mental approach to the sport. He noted that Madhura possesses a “gold wala mind” and a strong determination to win for her nation. Her ability to quickly grasp instructions and apply them is considered one of her greatest strengths by her coach.

Before joining Drushti Archery Academy in 2023, Madhura had a varied training background. She started archery at the age of nine and received early training at Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (HVPM). Subsequently, she trained at Gurukul Academy in Satara under the tutelage of Pawan Tambat and Ganesh Vishwakarma for about seven years.

Pravin Sawant’s influence became particularly evident during her comeback to international competition. Madhura had faced challenges, including a broken compound bow in 2019 and a three-year break from international events. When she joined Sawant’s academy, he identified some technical issues, such as her shoulder bending, and recommended a change in equipment from a Hoyt bow to a PSE bow, which better suited her body structure. He also worked on adjusting her upper body line and back position, even having her go back to basics with a wooden bow to rebuild her form. This comprehensive approach to technical, equipment, and mental aspects of her game has been instrumental in her recent achievements.

Madhura’s dedication and Sawant’s guidance paid off spectacularly at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai in May 2025. She secured a hat-trick of medals, including her maiden individual World Cup gold in the women’s compound event. She also earned a silver medal in the women’s team event and a bronze in the mixed team event, partnering with Abhishek Verma. Her individual gold was a thrilling one-point victory against Carson Krahe of the USA, showcasing her composure under pressure.

These achievements have solidified her position as a key member of the Indian compound archery team. Her selection for the World Games trials underscores the confidence the Archery Association of India has in her potential to bring further laurels to the country. With the inclusion of mixed compound archery in the LA 2028 Olympics, her coach Pravin Sawant is optimistic about her prospects, believing she will be part of the Olympic team and secure a medal for India.