Rising star Chikitha Taniparthi has announced her arrival on the international stage with two gold medals in her Asian Games debut, but her journey began with a father’s vision and a change in sporting direction.
The 21‑year‑old from Sultanpur village in Telangana’s Peddapalli district was once more inclined towards karate, but her sports‑loving father steered her towards archery, believing it offered greater opportunities. That decision has now been vindicated, as Chikitha clinched the women’s compound team gold alongside Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Prithika Pradeep, before pairing with Sahil Jadhav to win the mixed team gold in a tense shoot‑off against Korea.
Chikitha credits her success not only to her father’s guidance but also to mentorship from one of India’s most decorated compound archers, Abhishek Verma, who helped refine her skills and mindset. “His support and teaching made a huge difference,” she said after her historic wins.
Her double triumph has made her one of India’s standout performers at the Games, inspiring young athletes across the country. Analysts say her rise reflects both family determination and India’s growing depth in archery.
