India's Archery Stars Gear Up for APL Season 2 After Asian Games Triumph
Exciting Archery Premier League Season Begins
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 5: Following a remarkable performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where they secured nine medals including five golds, India's archery talents are set to don franchise jerseys as the Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 kicks off in Hyderabad on October 8.
The Asian Games saw significant achievements, with 17-year-old Kumkum Anil Mohod making history as the first Indian to clinch an individual gold in recurve archery. Additionally, Jyothi Surekha Vennam played a pivotal role in defending the women's team gold, while Sahil Rajesh Jadhav bagged two gold medals.
In Hyderabad, these athletes will join different franchise teams, competing against some of the world's top archers.
The APL Season 2, running until October 18 at People’s Plaza on Necklace Road, will feature 48 archers split evenly between men and women, participating in both recurve and compound events. The league introduces a 15-second shot clock, adding pressure as archers must make swift decisions.
Kumkum and Sahil will represent Chero Archers, alongside Danish archer Mathias Fullerton and two-time Olympian Atanu Das, bringing a mix of international and local expertise to the team.
Chola Chiefs will see Asian Games double gold medallist Chikitha Taniparthi paired with Brazil's Marcus D'Almeida, while the squad also includes four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari and World Championships silver medallist Rajat Chauhan, blending emerging talent with seasoned athletes.
Defending champions Rajputana Royals aim to keep their title with Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz and British compound star Ella Gibson. Their lineup also features Asian Games gold medallist Ankita Bhakat and former world champion Ojas Pravin Deotale.
APL Director Anil Kamineni remarked, "The success of Indian archers at the Asian Games sets an exciting stage for this season. Fans will witness these medallists competing in rival teams alongside some of the best archers globally. The high-caliber squads and the fast-paced format promise a thrilling league, offering Indian archers a valuable competitive platform."
Mighty Marathas will include Asian Games silver medallist Dhiraj Bommadevara, Dutch star Mike Schloesser, and Mexican Olympic medallist Alejandra Valencia, supported by Indian talents like Parneet Kaur and Mrinal Chauhan.
Leading the Kakatiya Knights will be multiple Asian Games gold medallist Jyothi Surekha Vennam, joined by Nico Wiener, Elia Canales, and Asian Games silver medallist Neeraj Chauhan.
Prithviraaj Yodhas will rely on Andrea Becerra and former Asian Games gold medallist Abhishek Verma, with Matias Grande and Kirti Sharma enhancing their squad.
Virender Sachdeva, Secretary General of the Archery Association of India, stated, "This league will provide Indian archers with opportunities to enhance their international performances through regular competition with Olympic and World champions, inspiring future generations to engage in the sport."
For India's Asian Games medallists, the APL in Hyderabad presents a new challenge where national teammates become rivals, and global competitors turn into allies, as they shift focus from continental success to the APL title.
APL Season 2 – Complete Team Lineups
KAKATIYA KNIGHTS: Nico Wiener (Austria), Elia Canales (Spain), Neeraj Chauhan, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Rohit Kumar, Avneet Kaur, Shivshankar Sakharam Landkar, and Ridhi.
PRITHVIRAJ YODHAS: Matias Grande (Mexico), Andrea Maya Becerra Arizaga (Mexico), Abhishek Verma, Gatha Anandrao Khadake, Thirumuru Ganesh Mani Ratnam, Raj Kaur, Juyel Sarkar, and Kirti Sharma.
RAJPUTANA ROYALS (Defending Champions): Kushal Dalal, Ojas Pravin Deotale, Ella Gibson (Great Britain), Swati Dudhwal, Mete Gazoz (Türkiye), Abhyuday Amol Pakhale, Ankita Bhakat, and Sangeeta.
CHERO ARCHERS: Mathias Fullerton (Denmark), Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, Prithika Pradeep, Jasveer Kaur, Yashdeep Bhoge, Atanu Das, Casey Kaufhold (USA), and Kumkum Anil Mohod.
MIGHTY MARATHAS: Mike Schloesser (Netherlands), Aman Saini, Parneet Kaur, Madhura Dhamangaonkar, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Mrinal Chauhan, Alejandra Valencia Trujillo (Mexico), and Simranjeet Kaur.
CHOLA CHIEFS: Rishabh Yadav, Rajat Chauhan, Alejandra Usquiano (Colombia), Chikitha Taniparthi, Marcus D'Almeida (Brazil), Pawan, Deepika Kumari, and Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri.