March 3, 2026
THIMPHU – Sonam Penjor, 21, from Lhuentse, has emerged as one of the youngest national recurve archers at the Bhutan Archery Federation (BAF) and a promising talent in the country’s archery scene.
He is among the elite athletes selected for the Bhutan Elite Athlete Support and Training (BEAST) Programme’s 2025–2026 cycle, an initiative of the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
Sonam Penjor’s interest in archery began when he was in Class IV, and he formally joined the BAF in 2018.
Since then, he has progressed through national-level training programmes and earned a place in the national team while still in his teens.
He completed Class XII at Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School in Thimphu and has since dedicated himself fully to archery.
Between 2018 and 2023, he received rigorous training and coaching, but he only made his international debut in 2023.
Despite his young age, Sonam Penjor has already competed in seven international tournaments, gaining valuable experience against higher-ranked Asian archers.
Events such as the Asian Archery Championships and Asia Cup stages exposed him to high-pressure matchplay formats and ranking rounds, helping him adapt to different weather conditions, equipment setups, and competitive intensity.
His growing presence on the continental stage reflects his steady rise and increasing competitiveness among top Asian archers.
One of Sonam Penjor’s most notable achievements came at the 2025 Gyeyang Open in South Korea, where he secured a bronze medal in the men’s individual recurve event against a strong international field. He recalled having high hopes of reaching the final but falling short.
At the 2025 Asia Cup in Singapore, he finished 18th out of 54 archers in the men’s recurve individual event and contributed to Bhutan’s ninth-place finish in the team event. He also ranked 40th among 73 competitors in the qualification rounds of an Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament held in Thailand.
Within the national recurve squad, Sonam Penjor is regarded as one of the younger core athletes being developed for long-term international representation. He often trains and competes alongside senior archers such as Lam Dorji and Kinley Tshering, whose mentorship has helped him develop tactically during team events and overseas training camps.
His participation in major continental tournaments and international camps has also given him valuable exposure to elite archers.
Coaches and officials view Sonam Penjor as a highly competent athlete with significant future potential.
He said that since joining the BEAST Programme, he has gained a deeper understanding of nutrition and received valuable support for both the mental and physical aspects of the sport.
Currently, Sonam Penjor is training for the Asian Games in Japan and the Archery Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
Given his age and growing international experience, he is seen as a long-term prospect for Bhutan in recurve archery.
Continued participation in international competitions is expected to further improve his seeding, matchplay experience, and overall performance.