Frederick targets historic Asian Games Archery podium

Bangladesh archery head coach Martin Frederick expressed belief the country's archers can win a historic medal at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October, highlighting his squad's quality.

The German coach acknowledged that Bangladesh are stronger in some events than others but remains confident that at least one medal is within reach.

"Podium. If we want a medal, we have to fight for the medal, yeah, for Bangladesh, very important," Frederick said on Friday.

"We are in good shape. But not in all categories. Last time, we made a good step forward in the compound category," he added. "Recurve women are still searching for the way, but they also improved in recent years, and we have chances."

Bangladesh will compete in 22 disciplines at the Games, with archery being its strongest medal prospect and the most consistent international performer over the past decade.

The 12-member squad will compete in recurve and compound events against China, Japan, and South Korea, with confidence boosted by Bangladesh's strong international performances.

Last November, the hosts won silver and bronze medals in the compound mixed team event at the 24th Asian Archery Championship, impressively competing against India.

"You remember the compound men's team in Bangkok won a gold medal. Last year in the Asian Championship, we had two medals, so we aim for the podium. I will not say which category because it can be recurve men, recurve mixed team or compound. So, yeah, at least one (medal)," the Bangladesh Archery head coach also mentioned.

Besides, the success was followed by another landmark achievement at the Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament (Stage-1), where Bangladesh's men's compound team defeated Vietnam to capture a historic gold medal.

Young archer Abdur Rahman Alif also enhanced the country's growing reputation by winning the individual recurve gold.

Bangladesh Archery Federation ad-hoc committee president Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol urged the archers to focus on performance rather than expectations.

"My only expectation for the Asian Games is that everyone plays well. If they play well, good results will naturally follow. And a good result in archery means something truly fantastic for the country," he said, since the nation has yet to win an archery medal at the Asian Games.