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Former world champion Dave Cousins to join India as compound chief coach ahead of LA Olympics

admin — Thu, 21 May 2026 21:50:00 +0000

Dave Cousins. File photo: Special Arrangement.

With an eye on the Los Angeles Olympics, where compound archery will make its debut, India has appointed multiple-time former world champion Dave Cousins as their chief compound coach, with the American set to join within two weeks ahead of the Stage 3 World Cup in Antalya next month.

This will be the first international coaching assignment for the 49-year-old, who has previously coached clubs and state teams in the USA besides enjoying an illustrious competitive career spanning more than two decades.

Compound archery will make its long-awaited Olympic debut at LA 2028 with only a mixed team event, and the Archery Association of India believes Cousins fits perfectly into its long-term plans.

The appointment, however, came after prolonged negotiations with former coach and Italian legend Sergio Pagni failed to materialise.

The development was confirmed to PTI by AAI treasurer Dr. Joris Paulose Ummacheril.

“Yes, he has been finalised as the compound coach and we have some paperwork formalities to complete,” Dr. Ummacheril said.

“This appointment is till LA. He will come as a full-time coach. As per the agreement, he will get 60 days of annual leave depending on the tournament and camp schedule. Thirty days will be with pay and if he needs more, it will be without pay.”

It is understood that Cousins’ will earn $12,000 per month.

Pagni, who had guided India to a clean sweep of five gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games, had reportedly sought a substantial salary hike.

Negotiations eventually broke down and the Italian has now joined South Korea as their technical head coach for compound archery.

“We have verbally approved everything and are waiting for the formalities. If all goes well, he will join the side before the Stage 3 World Cup in Antalya from June 9 to 14,” Dr. Ummacheril said.

Cousins faces a challenging assignment with India naming an inexperienced compound squad for Asian Games.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam is the only experienced archer in the combined men’s and women’s squads selected recently at the SAI trials in Sonepat.

Veterans Abhishek Verma, defending Asian Games champion Ojas Deotale, Parneet Kaur, Aditi Swami and Prathamesh Jawkar — all part of India’s triumphant campaign at the Huangzhou Games — failed to make the cut.

Cousins remains one of the most decorated compound archers in history and is the only archer to have won every major World Archery (FITA) championship discipline, including Outdoor, Indoor, Field, 3D and the World Games.

To address the transition and prepare the new squad, India will organise a seven-day training camp involving the archers’ personal coaches as well.

“He has suggested we need to have a seven-day coaching camp before the tournament. Personal coaches will also be there in the camp, so we feel there won’t be an issue,” Dr. Ummacheril said.

India will also hold a preparatory camp in Kurobe, Japan, before the Asian Games to help the archers acclimatise.

No breakthrough yet on recurve coach

Meanwhile, there has been little progress in the appointment of a foreign recurve coach after renowned Korean-American coach Kisik Lee declined the offer made by the federation, seeking a significantly bigger package.

In such a scenario, the AAI is considering bringing in “guest coaches” for short-term stints before major tournaments, and it would not be a surprise if Lee himself joins in a part-time consulting role with the Indian team.

Published – May 22, 2026 04:21 am IST

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Indian archers have their task cut out in World Cup Stage 2

admin — Mon, 04 May 2026 20:55:00 +0000

Indian archery heads into another major event clouded by poor planning, lack of direction and the absence of a full-time foreign coach, an alarming situation in an Asian Games year, as a strong field assembles for World Cup Stage 2 beginning here on Tuesday.

With the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan scheduled from September 19-October 4 approaching fast, India’s build-up looks far from convincing.

The season began with a disappointing outing at the World Cup Stage 1 in Mexico, where the only saving grace was a gold medal from the women’s compound team.

That result did little to hide deeper concerns.

Despite competing in a depleted field, with powerhouse South Korea skipping the event, India’s recurve archers failed to step up.

It turned into a reality check as none of the leading names, including former Olympians Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat could reach the medal rounds.

Das and Dhiraj managed pre-quarterfinal finishes before bowing out.

The men’s recurve team, seeded 10th, suffered an opening-round exit after losing to Spain in straight sets.

The women’s team cleared the first hurdle but went down to Turkey in the quarterfinals.

In the individual section, Deepika, India’s most decorated archer, exited in the second round.

Ankita, Simranjeet Kaur and Kumkum Mohod progressed one round further before losing in the third round. The mixed team pairing of Dhiraj and Kumkum also endured a forgettable outing, crashing out in the opening round to Brazil.

Despite such an underwhelming performance, the national federation has retained the same squad for the first two World Cup stages, with selection trials for the Asian Games and the next World Cup legs slated in Sonipat from May 15.

As a result, India will once again rely on an ageing Tarundeep, an out-of-form Dhiraj, inconsistent Atanu and struggling veterans like Deepika and Ankita in Shanghai, this time against a much stronger field.

It will be a miracle of sorts if the Indian recurve side returns with a medal.

South Korea returns with a full-strength men’s team featuring five Olympic gold medal winners in Kim Woojin, Lee Woo Seok, Seo Mingi and Kim Je Deok, a line-up capable of dominating any competition.

The women’s team, though rejigged, still has reigning world champion and world No. 1 Kang Chaeyoung alongside Lee Yunji, Oh Yejin and Jang Minhee.

With the Asian Games on the horizon and in the close proximity of Shanghai, several Asian nations including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia have also sent teams to gain valuable exposure.

A total of 320 archers will compete at the Yuanshen Sports Centre, 48 more than last year.

No coach, no clarity

India’s biggest concern, however, remains off the field.

With just over four months left for the Asian Games, the country still does not have a proper head coach.

The team is being managed by personal coaches, with the archer topping the trials effectively deciding support staff, a system that reflects a lack of structure and long-term planning.

Talks with noted compound coach Sergio Pagni, who guided India to a historic five-gold haul at the last Asian Games, and renowned recurve coach Kisik Lee, who helped the USA win three Olympic medals between 2012 and 2016, have not resulted in full-time appointments due to reported disagreements over remuneration.

There is talk of a part-time arrangement but there is still no clarity, adding to the sense of drift in a crucial year.

Given the current scenario, a podium finish from the recurve section would be a big surprise.

In such a scenario, once again India’s medal hopes will rest on the compound archers.

The women’s team will be led by the consistent Jyothi Surekha Vennam, with support from former world champion Aditi Swami and experienced Madhura Dhamangaonkar.

The men’s side, featuring seasoned campaigners Abhishek Verma and former world champion Ojas Deotale along with Kushal Dalal, will look to improve on their pre-quarterfinal exit in Mexico.

Against this backdrop, Shanghai will offer a clear measure of where India stands ahead of the Asian Games.

Squads:

Recurve men: Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Yashdeep Bhoge

Recurve women: Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, Simranjeet Kaur and Kumkum Mohod.

Compound men: Abhishek Verma, Kushal Dalal, Ojas Deotala and Sahil Jadhav

Compund women: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, Pragati and Madhura Dhamangaonkar.

Published – May 05, 2026 03:51 am IST

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