Ankita Bhakat

Ankita Bhakat (born 17 June 1998) is an Indian recurve archer who has represented India at multiple international events, including the World Archery Youth Championships, Archery World Cup stages, Asian competitions, and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She is a member of India’s national recurve squad and has competed in individual, women’s team, and mixed team events.

Ankita Bhakat was born on 17 June 1998 in Kolkata, West Bengal, into a family with modest means; her father is reported to have worked as a milkman.

She first became interested in archery at around ten years old after seeing a local tournament and joined the Calcutta Archery Club for initial training. Financial constraints meant she began with limited equipment and often practiced with borrowed bows before gaining access to more structured coaching.

In 2014 Ankita was selected for the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur, where she trained under established coaches including Dharmendra Tiwari, Purnima Mahato and Ram Awadesh. Her time at the academy provided intensive technical, physical and mental preparation and she progressed quickly through national junior ranks into senior international competition.

Ankita Bhakat made an early mark in youth international competition, winning medals at events such as the Seoul International Youth Archery Festa and performing strongly at the World Archery Youth Championships, where she was part of medal-winning teams.

As a senior, she has contributed to India’s successes on the World Cup circuit and at continental events, earning medals in team and mixed-team events and podium finishes at Asia Cup stages. Her consistent performances in ranking rounds and elimination matches established her as a regular member of India’s recurve line-up.

She qualified to represent India at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she competed in the women’s individual event and took part in team and mixed-team competitions alongside fellow Indian archers.

At the Games she posted competitive scores in the ranking round and progressed into the elimination stages, and she was also part of the Indian mixed team that reached the medal rounds — a milestone for Indian archery at the Olympics.

Ankita is known for steady form under pressure, controlled shot execution, and the ability to perform across both individual and team formats. Coaches and commentators have noted her resilience in matchplay and her rapid development after joining the Tata Archery Academy.

She has received support from athlete development programs and sporting foundations in India and has been featured in national media coverage as one of the country’s promising recurve archers. She remains based in training centers associated with the national program and continues to compete on the international circuit.

Across youth and senior international competitions her medal haul includes podium finishes in team and mixed-team events at World Cup stages and Asia Cup tournaments, as well as medals in youth championships early in her career. Her results have contributed to India’s growing presence in recurve archery on the world stage.