Yodhas Clinch Stunning Sudden Death Victory Over Chero Archers
Prithviraaj Yodhas secured a dramatic sudden death victory against Chero Archers in a high-stakes Archery Premier League clash in Hyderabad.
The Archery Premier League (APL) delivered its most heart-stopping moment of the season on Saturday as the Prithviraaj Yodhas handed the Chero Archers their first defeat in a match defined by extreme tension and multiple sudden death rounds.
In a high-octane encounter at People’s Plaza in Hyderabad, the Yodhas had to fight back from the brink, leveling the score at 4-4 during regulation time to force the league's unique tiebreaker format. The drama escalated when the first tiebreaker—the APL's signature hit-or-miss shootoff—saw all four archers from both sides miss the inner yellow ring entirely.
The Moment of Glory in Sudden Death
With the match unable to be decided by standard means, the contest moved into Sudden Death. In this high-pressure format, archers from each side alternate shots, with the first person to hit the target determining the winner. After two grueling rounds of misses, Mexican recurve star Matias Grande finally found his mark, nailing the inner ring to secure the win for the Yodhas.
On the opposing side, Prithika Pradeep was unable to replicate the feat, leaving the Yodhas to celebrate a hard-fought victory. Despite a strong showing from Chero's Kumkum Mohod, who was making her appearance following her Asian Games success, it wasn't enough to stop the Yodhas' momentum.
"It is a very special feeling, but it is not about who gets the arrow to win the match, it is a team win," said Grande following the intense victory.
Mighty Marathas Secure First Win
Earlier in the day, the Mighty Marathas finally broke their losing streak with a dominant 6-0 victory over the Chola Chiefs. Led by the precision of Mike Schloesser—affectionately known as 'Mr. Perfect'—the Marathas left no room for error, with Schloesser hitting 10s with every single one of his six arrows.
The Marathas' victory was bolstered by standout performances under pressure:
- Dhiraj Bommadevara delivered a crucial 10 in the second set to extend the lead.
- The compound archers provided a steady foundation, securing the first set 74-73.
- Deepika Kumari and Marcus D'Almeida maintained composure to wrap up the match before the fourth set even began.
Kakatiya Knights Upset Defending Champions
The day also saw a major upset as the defending champions, Rajputana Royals, suffered back-to-back defeats. They fell to the Kakatiya Knights, who played in front of a roaring local crowd. The Knights were led by Asian Games bronze medallist Neeraj Chauhan, who produced clutch X-ring 10s, alongside a fiery performance from local star Jyothi Surekha Vennam.
The Archery Premier League, a franchise-based initiative by the Archery Association of India, features 48 elite archers, including 12 international stars. The tournament is set to conclude on October 18, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals and the grand finale.