Jyothi Surekha Vennam Considers 2028 Olympics Bid After Gold

Jyothi Surekha Vennam is considering a bid for the 2028 Olympics after helping India win the compound women’s team gold medal at the Asian Games. Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep defeated China 238-234 in the final to secure the top spot.

The 30-year-old said she is still thinking about making a shot at the 2028 Olympics, where the compound mixed team event will make its debut. India has already secured a quota, which Vennam described as a positive development as she considers her next steps after the Asian Games.

“I have two more years (to go to 2028 Olympics). India has also got a quota, it’s a good thing. I am still thinking about giving it a shot,” Vennam told PTI. She added that she intends to take time after the Games to sit down and think about the possibility.

Team gold adds to Vennam’s Asian Games record

The women’s team triumph was Vennam’s fourth Asian Games gold medal. In the previous edition, she won three titles: individual, women’s team and mixed team. Her latest medal came alongside Taniparthi and Pradeep in a final in which India finished four points ahead of China.

Vennam said she felt fortunate to have represented India at four Asian Games and to have had the opportunity to collect multiple medals. She also said that every medal holds its own importance, with the latest team gold carrying no less meaning than her earlier successes.

“Winning a medal still means a lot to me. All medals have their own special meaning, this one is no better than the others,” she said.

India’s victory also followed a challenging individual campaign for Vennam. She was unable to defend the individual compound title she won at the last edition, exiting after a defeat to 14-year-old South Korean archer Kang Yeonseo. Vennam also missed out on the mixed team event after Taniparthi topped the qualification round, while Vennam placed 13th. The highest-ranked archer from a country in qualification earns the mixed team place.

Vennam acknowledged that her opening shots in the individual event were not at the required level. She said that results can sometimes turn on such moments and pointed to the increasing strength across the competition.

Focus turns to the next Olympic cycle

While Vennam has endured a recent dip in individual results, she remains focused on the work ahead. Her last individual World Cup gold came in Shanghai in 2024, while her most recent international individual medal was silver at the Madrid World Cup in 2025.

For the coming period, Vennam said she will continue to work hard and remain disciplined. She is also confident about preparing for the next Asian Games in 2030, saying there are four years available to get ready.

Her approach during the team event was to keep attention on execution rather than the opposition. Vennam said she told her teammates to enjoy themselves, do their best and focus on what they could control in their shooting.

She also outlined the routines she uses to stay focused, including daily breathing exercises and occasional visualisation work. Vennam said she works with a psychologist in her team on activities designed to support that process. After the team gold in the current Asian Games, the decision over a possible 2028 Olympic push remains one she plans to consider carefully.