Which country has archery as its national sport?

Bhutan has archery as its national sport.

Archery is deeply woven into Bhutanese culture and is played at festivals, community gatherings, and competitions. Traditional matches are held between teams, often with a pair of wooden targets placed far apart. Players celebrate successful shots with songs, dances, and ritualized cheering.

The national sport is not merely a modern designation. Archery has historical importance in Bhutan, where bows and arrows were used for hunting and warfare before becoming central to social and ceremonial life. Contemporary competitors may use both traditional bamboo equipment and modern compound bows, depending on the event.

Bhutan’s Olympic archery appearances have also drawn attention to the sport. The country selected archery as its sport for every Summer Olympics in which it participated through 2020. A common mistake is to assume that its Himalayan neighbours share the same official national sport; Bhutan’s designation is distinctive.