Bhutan’s recurve archery team delivered an encouraging performance at the World Archery Asia President’s Challenge Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with Kinley Tshering winning the gold medal. The tournament, held alongside the World Archery Asia Joint Training Programme, provided valuable international competition and preparation for the team’s campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026.The World Archery Asia President’s Challenge Cup and Joint Training Programme brought together 66 athletes from 19 countries in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 29th July, for five days.
Bhutan’s Kinley Tshering emerged as the standout performer in the Recurve Men’s Division. Competing against 19 other archers from 11 countries, he topped the qualification round with an impressive score of 673 out of 720 points.
The 35-year-old archer from Paro carried his strong form into the elimination rounds and secured the gold medal for Bhutan.
He said, “Most of the top archers were from Bangladesh, so I gained a lot of experience competing against them. With the Asian Games coming up next month, this competition was also good preparation for me. This was my first time competing in this event, and I am very happy to have won the gold medal. I was able to achieve this because of the support I received from my coach and my team members.”
Kinley has been competing in recurve archery since 2013 and has represented Bhutan in several international competitions.
Bhutan also recorded other notable performances. Sonam Penjor achieved a new international personal best score of 659 out of 720 points and finished fourth in the qualification round.