Bhutan’s first-ever National Archery Championship 2025 is underway, starting today at the Changlimithang archery range in Thimphu. For the first time, mechanical triggers are allowed in a national competition, aiming to raise performance standards and prepare Bhutanese archers for the international stage. 84 teams from Bhutan and Sikkim, including a Bhutanese women’s team, are competing in the tournament.
In the opening match, the only women’s team held their ground against two men’s teams, finishing joint-second in their group.
To ensure fair play, each team is allowed only one seeded player. From next year, seedings will depend on the player’s performance in this tournament.
The championship is organised by the Bhutan Archery Federation, in collaboration with the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association. It is to promote modern archery while preserving Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage through sports.
According to the federation, the introduction of mechanical triggers marks a major shift in the sport. Each team, consisting of five archers, can field two trigger users.
“Currently, we do not have a large pool of players who can represent Bhutan because the way we play in Bhutan is all finger release, which is not quite up to the mark where they play in the region and the Olympics. Therefore, we are trying to promote the style of play using triggers and mechanical releases and sides and peeps, so that they get used to playing in an international style of play,” said Pema Tenzin, General Secretary, Bhutan Archery Federation.
Participants shared that allowing triggers will encourage more youth to take up archery.
“The difference between playing on finger release and playing with the trigger and other equipment is that once you get used to playing with the equipment, the grouping of the arrows is more consistent. And in the future, if we want to compete with other countries and improve ourselves, since archery is our national game, I feel that more and more people should use this equipment,” said Tshetum Gaytshey, Participant, National Archery Championship 2025.
“The main difference between using a trigger and fingers is that it’s easier to pull the bow with a trigger. It also helps improve accuracy. If used properly, the trigger gives better control to hit the target compared to using fingers,” said Rinzin Dorji, Participant, National Archery Championship 2025.
“Some archers prefer using fingers, and that depends on personal choice. But for me, the trigger is better. When I use my fingers, the arrow doesn’t always go where I want; it might shoot too high or too low. With a trigger, the shot stays more consistent and within range,” said Sherub Zam, Participant, National Archery Championship 2025.
The championship follows a league-cum-knockout format, with around 420 archers competing. Each team will play three league matches. Based on performance, the top 75 teams will advance to the knockout stage.
To promote inclusivity, teams with both male and female archers are allowed.
The league round will continue until the end of this month, with four matches scheduled each day.
The championship marks a major step forward in modernising the country’s national sport, blending tradition with innovation, and preparing Bhutanese archers for the world stage.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
