The Chola Chiefs secured a dramatic shoot-off win against the Prithviraaj Yodhas, halting a five-match losing streak in the Archery Premier League Season 2 on October 15 in Hyderabad.
The Chiefs and Yodhas drew 4-4 in regulation time before the Chiefs clinched the match 2-0 in the Hit-or-Miss shoot-off. Colombian archer Alejandra Usquiano and Indian Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri both hit the golden X-ring in the tiebreak, while their opponents missed. Usquiano notably scored a perfect 80 out of 80 during regulation, marking one of the season’s best individual performances.
This victory moved the Chola Chiefs to four points, keeping their hopes for a top-four finish alive, while the Yodhas remain on eight points. The Chiefs had earlier won the first two sets and appeared to be on course for a straightforward win before the Yodhas took the final set, led by a strong X-shot from Gatha Khadake.
Meanwhile, the tournament’s former leaders faced setbacks. The Mighty Marathas were defeated 6-2 by Rajputana Royals, who benefited from Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz’s crucial last-arrow 10-point shot amid time pressure. The Royals started the day without a win against Marathas, who began with 10 points and were close to playoffs qualification.
The Kakatiya Knights also stumbled, losing 6-0 to the Chero Archers. Neeraj Chauhan was absent for the Knights, and though Rohit Kumar showed improvement after a poor start, the Chero Archers maintained steady form, spearheaded by Atanu Das and compound world number one Mathias Fullerton.
On October 16, the schedule includes Rajputana Royals versus Chola Chiefs; Prithviraaj Yodhas against Kakatiya Knights; and Mighty Marathas facing Chero Archers. The league, held at People’s Plaza in Hyderabad, will conclude with the grand final on October 18.
The Archery Premier League, initiated by the Archery Association of India, is the world’s first franchise-based archery league. Season 2 features six teams with 48 archers, including 36 Indians and 12 international stars. Broadcasts are available on SonyLIV, Doordarshan, the Archery Association of India YouTube channel, and Archery+. Tickets are sold via District by Zomato.
The league’s new playoff format gives the top two teams two chances to qualify for the final, with teams placed third and fourth playing eliminator rounds.
The best archers of the day, each awarded Rs 1 lakh, were Atanu Das (Chero, recurve male), Sangeeta (Royals, recurve female), Ojas Deotale (Royals, compound male), and Alejandra Usquiano (Chiefs, compound female).
Day 8 scores (as of 8:30 PM):
- Chola Chiefs 4-4 Prithviraaj Yodhas (Chiefs won shoot-off 2-0)
- Rajputana Royals 6-2 Mighty Marathas
- Chero Archers 6-0 Kakatiya Knights