Abhishek Verma is an Indian archer who has achieved numerous gold medals in various international archery competitions. As of 2023, he holds the 10th position in the global rankings and 1st position in both the Asia and India rankings. In addition to his achievements in archery, Abhishek serves as an Assistant Commissioner at the Income Tax Department.
Wiki/Biography
Abhishek Verma was born on Monday, 26 June 1989 (age 34 years; as of 2023) in Model Town, New Delhi. His zodiac sign is Cancer. He did his schooling at the Government School in Model Town, New Delhi. He pursued his higher studies at Hans Raj College, Delhi University. In grade 8, he asked his PT teacher for advice on which sport to play. The teacher suggested he play archery, and he followed the advice, practising with a wooden bow a few days later. In an interview, he mentioned feeling a connection to the game when he shot an arrow for the first time. He used to play lawn tennis before choosing archery. After breaking two rackets in a month and being denied a new one by his parents due to the sport’s expense, he decided to quit tennis and take up archery. He began practising archery in 2002 at the Delhi University Ground.
Abhishek Verma in 2002 when he started practising archery
Regularly participating in sub-junior and national competitions, he achieved the status of national champion in 2005. In an interview, he mentioned that he wasn’t doing well academically. Therefore, his parents were pleased that he opted for archery and excelled in it. In 2006, he began participating in different national tournaments at the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Abhishek Verma with his coach when he started winning national championships
In 2011, he began practising for world championships. As the compound model was relatively new in India at that time, he learned about it with the assistance of his coaches and the Internet.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Abhishek’s father’s name is Surender Verma, who is a businessman.
Abhishek Verma’s parents
He has a younger brother, Abhineet Verma, who is a businessman.
Abhishek Verma’s brother with his wife
Wife & Children
Abhishek got married to Sonali Verma, an entrepreneur on 14 July 2016. Together, they have two sons, Shaurya Verma and Atharv Verma.
Abhishek Verma with his wife and children
Religion
Abhishek follows Hinduism.
Abhishek Verma visiting a temple
Signature
Abhishek Verma’s signature
Archery
He made his international debut in 2014 at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. He won a gold medal in the men’s compound archery team event with Rajat Chauhan and Sandeep Kumar at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Moreover, he also earned a silver medal in the men’s individual compound event.
Abhishek Verma (centre) at the 2014 Asian Games posing with gold medal in the men’s compound archery team competition
In 2017, at the Archery World Cup stage one in Shanghai, the Indian men’s compound team—Abhishek Verma, Chinna Raju Srither, and Amanjeet Singh—secured a bronze medal by beating Colombia with a score of 226–221. On 17 November 2021, he, along with Rishabh Yadav and Aman Saini, secured the bronze medal in the men’s compound archery team event at the 22nd Asian Archery Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2022, he partnered with Jyothi Surekha Vennam and won a gold medal in the compound mixed-team archery event at the Archery World Cup in Paris, France.
Abhishek Verma and Jyothi Surekha Vennam posing with gold medal at the 2022 Archery World Cup held in Paris
In March 2022, he achieved success at the 41st Senior National Archery Championship held in Jammu, securing two gold medals and one silver in the Individual, team, and mixed-team categories respectively.
Abhishek Verma posing with his medal at the the 41st Senior National Archery Championship 2022
In October 2022, he clinched the gold medal in the compound men’s team event at the 36th National Games held in Gujarat.
Abhishek Verma holding the gold medal in the compound men’s team event at the 36th National Games 2022 in Gujarat
In 2023, he secured a gold medal in the mixed team event at the Asian Games held at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre. Both the women’s and men’s teams also won gold medals in the tournament. In March 2023, he won four medals at the National Championship.
Abhishek Verma’s Instagram post about winning four medals in National Championship
Medals
Asian Games
- 2014 (Incheon): Gold in the compound team event
- 2014 (Incheon): Silver in compound individual event
Abhishek Verma in the 2014 Asian Games
- 2018 (Jakarta): Silver in the compound team event
Abhishek Verma posing with silver medal in compound team event
- 2022 (Hangzhou): Gold in compound Men’s team event
- 2022 (Hangzhou): Silver in individual event
Abhishek Verma posing with his medals at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou
Asian Archery Championships
- 2013 (Taipei): Gold as an individual
- 2013 (Taipei): Gold in the mixed-team event
- 2013 (Taipei): Gold as a team
- 2015 (Bangkok): Gold as a team
- 2017 (Dhaka): Silver as a team
- 2017 (Dhaka): Silver in the mixed-team event
- 2017 (Dhaka): Gold as an individual
Abhishek Verma (centre) posing with gold medal at the Asian Archery Championships 2017 in Dhaka
- 2019 (Bangkok): Gold as an individual
- 2019 (Bangkok): Silver as a team
Abhishek Verma posing with gold (individual) and silver (team) medals at the Asian Archery Championship 2019
- 2021 (Dhaka): Bronze as a team
- 2021 (Dhaka): Silver as an individual
Archery World Cups
- 2014 (Wroclaw): Silver in compound mixed team event
- 2015 (Shanghai): Bronze in compound men’s team event
- 2015 (Mexico City): Silver in compound individual event
- 2015 (Wroclaw): Gold in compound individual event
- 2017 (Antalya): Bronze in compound mixed team event
- 2018 (Shanghai): Bronze in compound mixed team event
- 2018 (Antalya): Bronze in compound men’s team event
- 2018 (Berlin): Bronze in compound mixed team event
- 2018 (Salt Lake City): Bronze in compound mixed team event
Abhishek Verma posing with bronze medal in compound mixed team event at Salt Lake City
- 2018 (Antalya): Bronze in compound mixed team event
- 2018 (Samsun): Bronze in compound individual event
Abhishek Verma after winning bronze medal in compound individual event
- 2018 (Samsun): Silver in compound mixed team event
Abhishek Verma posing with teammate after winning silver in compound mixed team event
- 2018 (Shanghai): Gold in compound men’s team event
- 2019 (Antalya): Bronze in team event
Abhishek Verma posing with his team at 2019 Archery World Cup after winning bronze in team event in Antalya
- 2021 (Paris): Gold in compound individual event
Abhishek Verma posing with gold medal in compound individual event in 2021 Archery World Cup in Paris
- 2022 (Antalya): Gold in compound men’s team event
Abhishek Verma (extreme right) posing with his team after winning a gold medal in Archery World Cup at Antalya
- 2022 (Gwangju): Gold as an individual
- 2022 (Gwangju): Bronze in compound men’s event
Abhishek Verma posing with his medals at the 2022 Archery World Cup in Gwangju
- 2022 (Paris): Gold in the mixed compound team event
- 2023 (Medellin): Gold in the individual category
Abhishek Verma (centre) posing with gold medal in Archery World Cup 2023 at Medellin
- 2023 (Medellin): Bronze in compound men’s individual event
Abhishek Verma (entreme right) posing with his team after winning bronze medal in Archery World Cup 2023 at Medellin
- 2023 (Tashkent): Gold in individual, team and mixed-team events
Abhishek Verma at the 2023 Archery World Cup
World Archery Championships
- 2021 (Yankton): Silver in the mixed-team event
Abhishek Verma posing with silver medal in mixed team event at the World Archery Championship 2021 held in Yankton
- 2022 (Birmingham): Bronze in compound mixed team event
Abhishek Verma (centre) after winning bronze medal in compound mixed team event at the 2022 World Archery Championship held in Birmingham
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- Arjuna Award (2014)
Abhishek Verma receiving Arjuna Award
- Rajiv Gandhi State Award for Outstanding Excellence in Sports (2007)
Bike Collection
He owns a Royal Enfield.
Abhishek Verma with his son posing on his bike
Car Collection
He has a Fortuner.
Abhishek Verma’s Instagram post about his car
Facts/Trivia
- His teammates call him by the name ‘Smiley Boy.’
- Abhishek was coached by Lokesh Chand.
Abhishek Verma with his coach
- The chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Shri Sushil Chandra, honoured him for winning a gold medal in the compound team category at the 2017 Archery World Cup.
Abhishek Verma being felicitated by the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes
- In 2020, he was chosen as the face of POSITIVE, a clothing brand.
Abhishek Verma beinf selected as the brand ambassador of POSITIVE
- In 2022, it was reported that Abhishek’s wife’s bag was stolen in Delhi’s Rohini area. The bag contained a laptop, documents, and cash worth Rs. 1 lakh. After registering a case, the police investigated and stated,
We have seen the CCTV footage in which an e-rickshaw is seen approaching the car. We have sent a team to nab the accused. A probe into the matter is underway.”
- In 2022, Rishabh Yadav from Haryana, who became a national champion, mentioned in an interview that Abhishek was his mentor. Since Abhishek’s and Rishabh’s mothers were classmates, Abhishek took on the responsibility of training Yadav when he began his journey in the sport.
Abhishek Verma with Rishabh Yadav
- In an interview, Abhishek mentioned his desire to attempt rifle shooting to represent India in the Olympics. However, this opportunity was unavailable to him due to his involvement in ‘compound archery,’ which is not an Olympic sport.
- He dedicates eight to ten hours daily to practice without fail. His routine includes exercises from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., a practice session at 11 a.m., another one at 3 p.m., and then he goes to the gym for a workout.
Abhishek Verma working out at the gym
- In an interview, he mentioned that wrestler Sushil Kumar is his role model.
- He enjoys travelling and trying different adventurous activities.
Abhishek Verma (left) trying river rafting
- He spends his free time sketching.
A sketch made by Abhishek Verma
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education