Bhutan’s Arrows Fly High in Singapore: Archers Make History at Asia Cup 2025

Bhutan’s Arrows Hit New Heights at Asia Cup Singapore 2025

Archers Rewrite Bhutanese Sporting History with Courage, Class, and Clutch Performances in Singapore

Arrows flew fast and tempers held tight as the Asia Cup Leg 2 unfolded in a week of electric showdowns and knife-edge duels. Across the humid pressure cooker of the Singapore range, Bhutan’s archers stood tall—arrow by arrow, shot by shot—turning heads, pushing boundaries, and forcing some of Asia’s top-ranked nations to dig deep.

In the Recurve Men’s Team, Bhutan stunned onlookers by taking the opening set from India, one of Asia’s traditional powerhouses, before narrowly falling 4–6 in a match that left even Indian fans applauding. On the Compound Men’s Team front, Tandin Dorji and company fired with stunning consistency, pushing Bangladesh to the edge in a 227–230 battle decided by just a few millimeters of carbon-fiber precision.

Yet it was in the Compound Women’s Individual rounds that Bhutanese belief truly soared. Dorji Dolma, facing elimination, rose with grit and grace to defeat Bangladesh’s Pushpita Zaman 142–139—marking a breakthrough moment not just for her, but for Bhutanese women in the sport. Her victory lit up the Bhutanese camp and sent a clear message: this generation isn’t waiting their turn—they’re taking it.

Across disciplines and team sheets, Bhutan didn’t simply play; they fought with fire, strategy, and steel-nerved precision. They didn’t just qualify—they climbed, one arrow at a time, through pressure-cooked brackets and against archers with higher ranks and deeper resources. When the last target fell and the bows were lowered, one thing was clear: Bhutan had arrived—not as outsiders, but as fierce contenders shaping the future of Asian archery.

15 June: Bhutan Takes Aim

The tournament began with a strong showing in the Qualification Rounds. In Recurve Men, Sonam Penjor led the way with 653 points, earning the 18th seed, followed by Kinley Tshering (645), Dorji Lam (630), and Karma Lhendup (624). Their team total of 1,602 points ranked Bhutan 8th out of 14.

Over in Compound Men, Tandin Dorji shot a brilliant 698, while Kezang Norbu (685) and Khendrup (682) pushed the team into the 11th seed overall. Dorji Dolma , Bhutan’s lone representative in the Compound Women’s Individual, qualified 37th with a score of 653—a quiet beginning that would later roar into one of the tournament’s most inspiring stories.

16–17 June: The Battle Begins

The elimination rounds proved why Bhutan is no longer just participating in these tournaments—they are pushing to podiums.

In the Recurve Men’s Individual, Kinley Tshering faced world No. 6 Fumiya Saito of Japan in the Round of 64. In a gripping five-set battle, Kinley held his own in every round before narrowly losing 6–4. The match drew attention for how Kinley’s precision and composure forced one of Asia’s elite to dig deep.

“I respected his ranking,” Kinley said, “but once the match began, it was just me, the bow, and the target.”

Tandin Dorji was Bhutan’s breakout star in Compound Men, winning his Round of 32 match with a jaw-dropping sudden-death shoot-off. Locked at 146–146 with Yen Tzu Hsiang of Chinese Taipei, Dorji drilled a perfect 10 to seal the win—marking a massive international breakthrough for him and Bhutan.

In the Compound Women’s Individual, Dorji Dolma stunned the field with a 142–139 win over Bangladesh’s Pushpita Zaman. It wasn’t just her first international win—it was Bhutan’s first-ever elimination round victory in women’s compound at this level.

“I thought of all the young girls back home who’ve been told this sport isn’t for them,” she said, holding back tears. “I shot for them.”

Team Bhutan: Spirit and Strategy

Team events brought out the best in Bhutan’s collective firepower. In the Recurve Men’s Team, Bhutan went up against India. Ranked far lower on paper, Bhutan took the first set 38–36, stunning the crowd and forcing India into a corner. The final score of 4–6 in India’s favor doesn’t tell the whole story—Bhutan made them fight for every single point.

The Compound Men’s Team, seeded 11th, took on 6th seed Bangladesh in a high-scoring elimination match. Despite eventually falling 227–230, the Bhutanese trio showed excellent grouping and synchrony throughout.

In the Team Rankings:

Recurve Men’s Team: 6th place (Final)
Compound Men’s Team: 7th place (Final)

These are Bhutan’s best team finishes at the Asia Cup stage to date.

Final Rankings: Bhutan Stands Proud

Individual Rankings – Final:

Kinley Tshering (Recurve Men): 9th
Sonam Penjor & Lam Dorji : 33rd
Tandin Dorji and Khendrup (Compound Men): 17th
Tshewang Dorji and Kezang Norbu (Compound Men): 33rd
Dorji Dolma (Compound Women): 17th

Team Rankings – Final:

Recurve Men’s Team: 6th / 14
Compound Men’s Team: 7th / 15

Mr. Ajit, Head Coach for Compound, praised the spirit and development of his squad, this tournament was a test of nerves and character. The compound archers showed they are no longer just learners — they are competitors. We pushed higher-ranked nations, won critical matches, and proved Bhutan belongs at this level. The commitment from our athletes and the support back home made all the difference.

Ms. Park Youngsook, the decorated Head Coach for Recurve, shared her deep pride in the team’s tactical maturity and mental growth, we have worked very hard on consistency and confidence. The boys shot with heart. Taking the first set from India was not luck — it was preparation, belief, and discipline. Bhutanese archery is rising fast, and I am proud to be part of this journey.

From the administrative helm, Mr. Pema Tenzin, General Secretary of the Bhutan Archery Federation, reflected on the larger mission, this was not just about results — this was about proving Bhutan is here. Our federation, with humble resources, has shown what passion, planning, and purpose can achieve. Every coach, every archer, and every support staff member played their role. The Asia Cup was our battlefield — and Bhutan’s name echoed on it.

In a special message of congratulations, the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) extended its heartfelt “Tashi Delek” to the entire team:

“We are immensely proud of the Bhutan Archery Team’s performance at the Asia Cup 2025. You did not just represent Bhutan—you inspired Bhutan. Your spirit, sportsmanship, and courage on international soil have touched every Bhutanese heart. Tashi Delek to our archers, coaches, and support staff. This is just the beginning. The Olympic spirit burns stronger in Bhutan because of you.”

As archers returns home, heads held high and eyes already set on the next target, one thing is certain, This is not the peak. This is the rise.