Air Force dominate National Archery Championship

Bangladesh Air Force emerged as the most successful team at the National Archery Championship, securing five gold medals from 10 finals. BKSP followed with four golds, while Bangladesh Ansar claimed the remaining title. The tournament also saw two national records and several close contests.

At Tongi Stadium, the recurve men’s individual final turned into an all–Air Force affair. Ram Krishna Saha defeated teammate Rakib Mia 6–5 on set points to win gold, while Abdur Rahman Alif secured bronze by beating Mishad Pradhan 6–4.

In the recurve women’s individual event, Sonali Roy beat Monira Akter 7–3 to win gold. Saima Salahuddin claimed bronze with a 6–2 victory over Tayeba Akter.

The recurve men’s team final went to a tie-breaker, where Bangladesh Ansar overcame the Air Force 5–4 to win gold. BKSP took bronze. Another tie-breaker followed in the recurve women’s team event, with the Air Force defeating the Army 5–4 to claim gold.

The Air Force also won the recurve mixed team title, beating Archery Club of Dhaka Metro 6–0 in the final. BKSP won bronze after defeating Ansar by the same margin.

BKSP dominated the compound events. Aishwarya Rahman won the men’s individual gold, beating Nawaz Ahmed Rakib 147–142. Veteran Himu Bachhar secured bronze by defeating Tarikul Islam Touhid 143–137. In the women’s individual final, BKSP’s Kulsum Akter Moni edged Air Force’s Bonna Akter 144–143.

BKSP claimed gold in the compound men’s and mixed team events, while the Air Force won the compound women’s team title.

At the prize-giving ceremonies, Bangladesh Olympic Association Vice-President Major (retd) Imroz Ahmed distributed awards for the compound division, while the recurve division prizes were handed over by Md Selim Fakir, NDC, Additional Secretary (Sports-1 Wing) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Also present were City Group Executive Director Zafar Uddin Siddique, Brand Manager Rubaiyat Ahmed, Lt Col Alamgir Kabir, Wing Commander Md Ekramul Haque, and Bangladesh Archery Federation General Secretary Tanvir Ahmed.

Bangladesh national coach Martin Frederick said the tournament is part of preparations for the Asian Games in September–October, and the first Asia Cup in March.