Telangana Archer Chikitha Taniparthi Excited for Archery Premier League Season 2 in Hyderabad

Chikitha Taniparthi's Anticipation for APL Season 2

Telangana's Chikitha Taniparthi, who recently clinched a gold medal at the Asian Games, is eager to compete in the second season of the Archery Premier League (APL), which kicks off on Thursday in Hyderabad. Building on her experiences from the inaugural season, she looks forward to showcasing her skills on home turf.

The APL returns after a successful debut in New Delhi, coinciding with India's remarkable performance in Aichi-Nagoya, where the archery team outperformed strong competitors like South Korea. The event will take place from October 8 to 18 at People's Plaza on Necklace Road in Hyderabad, as announced in a press release.

A New Competitive Format

This season introduces a fresh competitive environment, where medal-winning archers will shoot against their national teammates, often under a strict 15-second time limit per arrow. This thrilling format will feature both recurve and compound archers, distinguishing the APL from standard World Archery events. Additionally, an anthem and mascot were revealed during the launch event.

Chikitha's Growth and Aspirations

Taniparthi, who represents the Chola Chiefs, shared that her experience in the first season helped her enhance her skills. "I learned to manage pressure with the 15-second shot clock and picked up techniques from my teammates, which contributed to my success at the Asian Games," she stated. She hopes the tournament inspires young girls to take up archery.

APL's Vision for Expansion

APL Director Anil Kamineni noted the growing interest in the league since its inception. He expressed hopes to expand the number of teams and explore new locations in future seasons. Kamineni emphasized the importance of showcasing India's rich archery heritage in a historic city like Hyderabad.

Star Archers Embrace the Challenge

Deepika Kumari, a veteran archer with nearly two decades of experience, highlighted the unique challenges of the APL format. "The time constraint is intense, but it benefits junior archers who are improving significantly," she remarked.

Casey Kaufhold, a newcomer to APL Season 2, shared her excitement about the fast-paced shooting environment, stating that she performs well under pressure. She praised the Indian archers' progress, noting their impressive medal haul at the Asian Games.

Building Friendships Through APL

Alejandra Valencia from Mexico, representing the Mighty Marathas, spoke about the camaraderie formed among archers in the league. "We have become like a family, supporting each other beyond national boundaries," she said.

Nico Wiener, the first Austrian to win a World Cup final title, shared his experience of balancing support for his siblings in different sports while pursuing archery.

Excitement for Upcoming Matches

The opening day will feature a rematch of last year's thrilling final between Rajputana Royals and Prithviraaj Yodhas. Additionally, Jyothi Surekha Vennam's Kakatiya Knights will face Dhiraj Bommadevara's Mighty Marathas, while Chero Archers, led by Kumkum Mohod, will compete against the Chola Chiefs.

League Structure and Format

The APL consists of six teams, featuring 48 archers from India and abroad, competing in both recurve and compound categories. Each team comprises eight archers, and the competition follows a double round-robin format. In each match, four archers shoot two arrows per set, vying for two points per round. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the final on October 18.