Who is Ankita Bhakat? Learn About the Indian Archer Representing India at the Paris Olympics 2024

The Paris Olympics 2024, starting on July 26, will witness over 10,000 athletes from around the world competing for medals. India is also geared up, with 113 athletes representing the nation. Notable contenders like Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Nikhat Zareen will be in the spotlight, all vying for medals.


Among these names, Ankita Bhakat has garnered significant attention as she prepares to represent India in archery at the Paris Olympics 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about her.

Who is Ankita Bhakat?

Ankita Bhakat is a talented archer set to represent India in the Paris Olympics 2024, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.

She first gained prominence in 2017 by winning a gold medal at the World Archery Youth Championships in Rosario, Argentina. Partnering with Jemson Singh Ningthoujam, she topped the recurve junior mixed team event.

The 26-year-old secured her spot in Paris during the World Archery Olympic Qualifier earlier this year. She triumphed over Gabrielle Monica Bidaure of the Philippines 6-0 (26-23, 28-22, 28-23), placing among the top eight in the tournament.

Ankita is ready to make her Olympic debut, bearing the significant responsibility of potentially ending India's wait for an archery medal on the grand stage.

She is part of India’s three-member women’s team, alongside the experienced Deepika Kumari and 18-year-old Bhajan Kaur. The men’s team includes Dhiraj Bommandevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav.


Ankita Bhakat's Career

Ankita Bhakat began archery at the young age of 10 and steadily improved from there. In 2014, she joined the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur, where she honed her skills under coaches Ram Awadhesh, Purnima Mahato, and Dharmendra Tiwari.

She passed the selection trials organized by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and participated in the World Archery Youth Championships in Yankton, South Dakota, in 2015. In 2022, she won a gold medal at the Khelo India Women's National Ranking Archery Tournament held at the JRD Tata Sports Complex.

In 2023, Ankita won a bronze medal in the women’s team recurve event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. She was part of a team with Simranjeet Kaur and Bhajan Kaur. Although India lost to South Korea in the semifinals, they secured the bronze by defeating Vietnam in the medal match.

(For more news on Ankita Bhakat and other updates on the Paris Olympics 2024, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)