Explained: What is Compound Archery — rules, format, and why it matters for India at LA Olympics 2028?

Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam are among India's standout compound archers. (PTI/File Photo)

Archery is a sport with deep historical roots, developed over centuries, and played using various types of bows. In modern competitive archery, two primary bow styles dominate: Recurve and Compound. With compound archery making its debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, understanding the sport becomes all the more relevant — especially for India, a nation with a growing pool of world-class compound archers. (Also Read: Big medal boost for India as compound archery makes historic debut at LA Olympics 2028)

What is Compound Archery?

Compound archery involves using a technologically advanced bow equipped with a system of cams (pulleys), cables, and let-off mechanisms. This design reduces the amount of force needed to hole the string at full draw, allowing archers to aim more steadily for longer periods. The bow often includes accessories like magnifying sights and mechanical release aids for improved accuracy and consistency.

This style of now was first developed in the United States in the 1960s and made its international debut at the World Archery Championships in 1995. Since then, it has gradually gained popularity and has been a part of the Archery World Cup since 2006 and the World Games. It is also a regular sport at the continental multisport events like the Asian Games, European Games and the Pan American Games.

What is the difference between Compound Archery and Recurve?

Recurve bows in contrast are more traditional in design and structure. The bow curves away from the archer at the tips, giving it its name. Recurve archers have to rely more on their physical strength to draw and hold the string. Aiming is typically done using a fixed sight without magnification and the arrow release is done manually by relaxing the fingers.

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What is the point system in Compound Archery?

The target distance in Compound Archery is 50 metres as compared to 70 in Recurve. The target face is 80 cm in diameter, with a small 8 cm 10-ring in the centre for maximum points. The archers aim at the five-colour target which has 10 scoring zones — coloured in gold, red, blue, black and white rings. The scores go from 10 in the innermost to 1 in the outermost circle.

What are the rules of Compound Archery?

In the qualification phase, the archers shoot 72 arrows and their total scores determine their seeding for the final round. The individual matches are contested with 15 arrows (three sets of five each), the team matches have 24 arrows (four sets of six each) while the one in the LA 28 Games, mixed team matches, has 16 arrows (four sets of four each).

In case of a tie, the archers shoot one additional arrow and the closest to the circle wins.

Why Compound Archery's introduction comes as a big boost to India?

India has a strong opportunity to win an Olympic medal in compound archery, with a talented group of archers making their mark on the international stage. Some of the top names include Ojas Pravin Deotale, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Gopichand Swami, and Abhishek Verma.

At the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Indian archery team secured a total of nine medals, seven of which came from compound events, including five golds. Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam were standout performers, winning gold in both the mixed team event — now part of the Olympic programme — and in their individual categories.

In the most recent feat, the Indian men’s compound team opened their account with a bronze medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 1, in Auburndale, USA on Wednesday, April 9. The team with Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav and Ojas Deotale, defeated the reigning European champions, Denmark by 230-223 in the bronze medal match.