Dhiraj's Historic Gold at World Archery Championships Celebrated by Family

Dhiraj's family proudly celebrates his historic gold medal win at the World Archery Championships, where he became the first Indian male archer to achieve this feat. His journey, marked by years of dedication and rigorous practice, culminated in a thrilling final against Japan's Nakanishi Junya. This victory not only highlights Dhiraj's exceptional talent but also represents a significant milestone for Indian archery. Discover more about his inspiring story and the challenges he overcame to reach this pinnacle of success.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 15, 2026, 15:28 IST

Family Celebrates Archer's Dedication

Bommadevara Sravan Kumar, the father of archer Dhiraj, expressed profound pride in his son's remarkable achievement at the World Archery Championships. Dhiraj made history by winning the men's individual title at the Archery World Cup Final 2026 held in Saltillo, Mexico, marking him as the first Indian male archer to secure an individual championship at this prestigious event. Sravan Kumar shared, "Our joy knew no bounds when Dhiraj became a world champion. His recent gold medal at the World Archery Championships is a testament to years of relentless effort, practicing six to seven hours daily. He embarked on this journey in 2006, and after 19 years, India has finally clinched a gold medal at the World Archery Championships."

Praise for Dhiraj's Commitment

Bommadevara Chandra Prakash, a family member, commended Dhiraj's unwavering dedication and discipline from an early age. He emphasized Dhiraj's passion for sports and credited his parents for their significant role in his successful athletic journey. Prakash remarked, "Dhiraj has always been an exceptional child. His dedication and discipline were evident from a young age, and his passion for sports has been remarkable. His parents have been instrumental in shaping him into the athlete he is today."

Thrilling Gold Medal Match

In a nail-biting final, Dhiraj triumphed over Japan's Nakanishi Junya with a score of 6-5, which culminated in a shoot-off. Under immense pressure, Dhiraj delivered a perfect 10 on his final shot, surpassing Nakanishi's nine and securing the most significant individual title of his career.

A Milestone Achievement

With this victory, Dhiraj joins the ranks of only the second Indian archer to win an individual title at the Archery World Cup Final, following Dola Banerjee, who claimed the women's recurve title in Dubai back in 2007.

Path to the Final

As India's sole representative at the 2026 World Cup Final, Dhiraj showcased an impressive performance throughout the competition. He kicked off his journey with a decisive 7-1 win against Olympic medallist Berkim Tümer from Türkiye in the quarter-finals, followed by a 7-1 victory over two-time Olympic silver medallist Jean-Charles Valladont from France in the semi-finals.

The final match against the fourth-seeded Nakanishi was fiercely contested, with both archers struggling to gain a clear edge. The first set ended in a tie at 28-28, with Nakanishi taking the second set 29-28. Dhiraj fought back, winning the third set 29-28, but Nakanishi regained the lead with a 30-28 win in the fourth set. In a crucial fifth set, Dhiraj rose to the occasion, winning 28-27 to tie the match at 5-5 before clinching the title in the shoot-off.