World-record holder archer Tejal Salve secures spot in Asia Cup
Sonipat, February 28
The Junior Selection Trials for the Asia Cup-WRT Stage 2 concluded in Sonipat, Haryana, on Friday after five days of competition. Vijayi Bharat Foundation archer Tejal Salve secured her place in the Indian team for the prestigious continental event, qualifying in the Women's Compound category, according to a release from VBF.
Tejal Salve, a native of Jalna, Maharashtra, was recently inducted into the Vijayi Bharat Foundation in Ahmedabad and continued to make waves as she showcased near-perfect technical execution and earned her spot in the team for the continental event.
VBF Archery Coach, Jong Woo Park, highlighted the precision and consistency in her approach, noting her ability to maintain a disciplined routine and execute quick, decisive shots under pressure. "She performed near-perfectly on the technical side. She possesses a consistent routine and excels at quick, decisive shots. I focused solely on honing her technique and building her confidence to consistently shoot under pressure," the coach said.
Further, sharing key points from Tejal's matches, coach Park added, "Her first match in the Robin match was crucial, as it was against the top-ranked player in the preliminary round. I believed that if she won that match, she would gain the confidence to easily handle all her matches, and she made sure to recognise the subtle sway in her aim under pressure and to focus on it. She excelled in all aspects of her execution, and she achieved perfect results through self-control."
Tejal Salve was part of a record-breaking compound archery team.
Tejal Salve, alongside Shanmukhi Naga Sai and Tanishka Nilkumar, had delivered a historic performance in June 2025, when the trio shattered the U-21 World Record with an outstanding combined score of 2,101 points.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great news! But we need more consistent coverage of archery and other non-cricket sports. These athletes work just as hard. Hope the media gives her victory the spotlight it deserves when she wins.
Shattering a world record at U-21 level is no small feat. The mental strength Coach Park talks about is key. In a pressure sport like archery, that's half the battle won. Jai Hind!
As a former athlete, I understand the pressure of that first crucial match. Recognizing the "subtle sway" in your aim under stress and correcting it shows incredible maturity. Go Tejal!
Proud moment for Maharashtra and India! Foundations like VBF are crucial in identifying and nurturing talent from across the country. Hope this leads to more investment in sports infrastructure in states beyond the usual hubs.
The trio of Tejal, Shanmukhi, and Tanishka is a powerhouse! Breaking a world record together must create an amazing bond. That team spirit will be a huge advantage in the Asia Cup. Bring home the gold! 🥇
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.