Bhutan’s archers delivered an impressive performance at the Bhutan Grand Prix finals held in the capital, securing five silver medals and a bronze across a fiercely contested two-day tournament.
The event drew more than 40 competitors from Bhutan and India, who battled it out in compound and recurve categories. While the Indian contingent dominated the overall standings to lift the rolling trophy, Bhutan’s athletes demonstrated growing strength and depth in the sport.
Strong Showing Across Team Events
Bhutan collected silver medals in the Men’s Compound Team, Women’s Compound Team, Mixed Team Compound, Recurve Men’s Team, and the Women’s Compound Individual event. The consistent podium finishes underscored the country’s steady progress, particularly in compound archery, a discipline that continues to gain popularity among local athletes.
Among the standout performers was Sonam Dema, who walked away with three silver medals. Although she has previously represented Bhutan in recurve competitions, this marked her debut in the compound category.
“It went well today. It was my first time competing in the mixed team and individual compound categories,” she said. “I’m happy to achieve this after just two to three months of practice. In the future, I will perform even better and aim for gold by learning from today’s mistakes and training harder.”
Her transition and immediate success in a new discipline highlight both her adaptability and the potential of Bhutan’s emerging compound archers.
New Category Nurtures Emerging Talent
One of the highlights of this year’s Grand Prix was the introduction of the Upcoming Archer category, created specifically for Bhutanese compound archers without prior international exposure. The initiative aims to foster long-term athlete development and provide competitive experience to promising newcomers.
Chogzang Thai Rigden claimed gold in the new category after defeating Pelden Wangchuk in the final.
“It was my first time participating in the tournament, and I am very happy to have won a gold medal in the beginner category,” he said. “I hope to compete in international matches in the future, so I am training hard to achieve that goal.”
Organizers say the category is part of a broader effort to build a stronger pipeline of athletes capable of representing Bhutan on the international stage.
Inclusivity Highlighted at the Tournament
The event also celebrated inclusivity, with Tika Ram Galley receiving special recognition as the only para-archer competing in the tournament. His participation drew praise from spectators and fellow athletes alike.
“I am very happy that I got this opportunity to participate with everyone in the Bhutan Grand Prix,” he said. “I would like to encourage other persons with disabilities to come forward and show their talent.”
His presence served as a reminder of the expanding opportunities within Bhutan’s sporting landscape.
Looking Ahead
Although the Indian team emerged as overall champions, claiming the majority of top honors and the rolling trophy, Bhutan’s medal haul signals encouraging progress. With new talent emerging and experienced archers expanding into new disciplines, the future of Bhutanese archery appears firmly on target.
