Mighty Marathas Crowned Archery Premier League Season 2 Champions!
Mighty Marathas crowned APL Season 2 champions after a thrilling final victory over Kakatiya Knights in Hyderabad.
In a dramatic reversal of fortunes, the Mighty Marathas have claimed the title of Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 champions. In a high-stakes grand finale held in Hyderabad on Sunday, the Marathas overcame their rivals, the Kakatiya Knights, with a convincing 6-2 victory to lift the trophy.
The Road to Redemption
The path to victory was far from easy for the Mighty Marathas. The Kakatiya Knights had dominated the early encounters, defeating the Marathas in both the final league match on Saturday and the first qualifier on Sunday. This forced the Marathas to take the "scenic route" to the final, fighting through the second eliminator where they defeated the Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 to secure their spot in the championship match.
Reflecting on the turnaround, star archer Dhiraj Bommadevara credited the team's resilience. "Believing in each other, keeping patience, and attack-attack-attack," Dhiraj shared, noting that the beauty of the team lay in the fact that they didn't need to change their core approach after the initial losses.
'Mr. Perfect' and the Magic of Dhiraj
The final was a showcase of world-class precision. Mike Schloesser, aptly nicknamed 'Mr. Perfect', lived up to his reputation by delivering a flawless performance, scoring a perfect 80 out of 80. Not far behind was Dhiraj Bommadevara, who shot an incredible 79 out of 80, sealing the victory with a final arrow that landed squarely in the inner X-ring.
Dhiraj's dominance didn't just win the match; he was also named the male recurve archer of the day and the standout performer of the entire tournament.
Tactical Masterstrokes
The Marathas' victory was also a result of shrewd management and substitutions. The team utilized its bench strength effectively to maintain momentum:
- The Schloesser Switch: Dutch superstar Mike Schloesser replaced Aman Saini before the second eliminator. Schloesser immediately impacted the game with a 79 in that match, followed by his perfect 80 in the final.
- The Local Edge: In a tactical move during the second match, the experienced Alejandra Valencia was replaced by Simranjeet Kaur, who proved vital in handling high-pressure situations.
The Final Battle: Set by Set
The championship match began as a deadlock, with both teams scoring 75-75 in the first set. However, a costly 8 from the Knights' Neeraj Chauhan allowed Dhiraj to take the lead with a 10.
The tension peaked in the second set, where Dhiraj fired two inner-10s to keep the Marathas ahead. Despite some lower scores from recurve archers in the third set, the Marathas managed to tie, maintaining their lead.
Desperate to force a shootoff, the Kakatiya Knights struggled in the final set. All four of their archers—Nico Wiener, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Elia Canales, and Neeraj—could only manage 9s. The Mighty Marathas capitalized on this slip, scoring a breathtaking 79 to close the game in style.
About the Archery Premier League
Initiated by the Archery Association of India, the APL is the world's first franchise-based archery league. Held at People's Plaza in Hyderabad, the league featured six teams and 48 archers, blending the talents of 36 Indian athletes with 12 elite international stars.
Top Performers of the Day
- Recurve Male: Dhiraj Bommadevara (Marathas)
- Recurve Female: Elia Canales (Knights)
- Compound Male: Mike Schloesser (Marathas)