Kumkum Mohod returns after Asian Games gold as Chero Archers in APL thriller

Kumkum Mohod returned to action after her golden run at the Asian Games, but Chero Archers suffered their first defeat in Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 after a dramatic shootout against Prithviraaj Yodhas on Saturday.

In the match of the day at Hyderabad’s People’s Plaza, the Yodhas prevailed after several rounds of sudden death, with Mexican archer Matias Grande sealing a 4-4 (1-0) victory with the decisive hit.

Chero Archers fought back after winning the fourth set to force a tie. The first tie proved inconclusive, with all eight archers missing the inner yellow ring in a hit-or-miss league shootout format.

The contest then went into sudden death where archers from both sides took turns trying to hit the target. Grande finally found the inner ring in the third round of sudden death while Prithika Pradeep couldn’t match his shot to hand Yodhas the victory.

Mohod, competing for the first time from her Gold medal at the Asian Games, produced some impressive shots for Chero Archers. However, her team’s invincibility ended in a battle that went all the way to the finals.

“This is a very small goal. A little bit of luck, it was a good shot. In the first season it was smaller and this time I think it is more achievable. We are happy to win. Honestly, it is a very special feeling, but it is not who gets the arrow to win the game, it is a team victory,” Grande said after the game.

Earlier in the day, Mighty Marathas claimed their first win of the season with a 6-0 win over Chola Chiefs. Associate archer Mike Schloesser lived up to his nickname “Mr. Perfect,” shooting six 10s from six arrows while Under pressure, India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara helped seal the result.

The Marathas took the opening set 74-73 and built a 4-0 lead in the second, with Bommadevara producing the decisive 10 as time wound down. They then won the third set 74-72 to end the match without dropping a set.

In the final match of the day, Kakatiya Knights defeated the defending champions Rajputana Royals 6-2 to hand the Royals an unbroken run of defeats. Asian Games bronze medalist Neeraj Chauhan produced a crucial X-ring 10, while Jyothi Surekha Vennam also played a key role in the Knights’ comeback. Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz helped the Royals take the opening set, but the Knights won the next three to clinch the match.

The second season of the Archery Premier League features six teams and 48 archers, including 36 Indians and 12 international competitors. The tournament will end on October 18 and the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals before the final.

Sunday’s matches will see Chero Archers take on local team Kakatiya Knights, Chola Chiefs take on Prithviraj Yodhas and Mighty Marathas take on defending champions Rajputana Royals.

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