Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Oct 9: Defending champions Rajputana Royals defeated Prithviraaj Yodhas 5-3 in the opening match of the second edition of the Archery Premier League in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Compound archers Ojas Deotale and world No 1 Ella Gibson led the Royals with high-scoring shots, while Tokyo Olympic recurve champion Mete Gazoz played a key role in closing out sets under pressure. India's Ankita Bhakat also supported the Royals' efforts.
The Abhishek Verma-led Yodhas fought back after a slow start and had a chance to force a hit-or-miss shoot-off in the final set. However, Mexico's Mathias Grande managed only an 8 with his last arrow, allowing the Royals to secure victory.
The Royals took the opening set 73-69 after Grande began with a 7, putting the Yodhas on the back foot. Deotale and Gibson maintained the pressure, while Gazoz and Bhakat contributed to the team's performance.
The second set ended in a tie after both teams produced strong scores. Grande struck a 10 with his final arrow, while Gazoz shot a 9. A subsequent correction to one of the arrows resulted in the Yodhas drawing level at 2-2.
Before the third set, the Yodhas brought in Andrea Becerra in place of Raj Kaur. Deotale, Verma, Gibson and Becerra all produced 10s as the contest intensified. Gazoz and Grande then delivered their final arrows under time pressure, with Grande hitting a 10 to secure a 77-77 tie.
The Royals took control in the fourth set with three 10s, opening a 39-37 lead at the halfway stage. Sixteen-year-old Gatha Anandrao Khadake shot a 10 with her final arrow to keep the Yodhas in contention. However, Gazoz hit the X-ring with his last shot, while Grande managed only an 8, sealing the Royals' 5-3 victory.
In the second match, Kakatiya Knights staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Marathas after overturning a 4-0 deficit and winning the hit-or-miss shoot-off.
Nico Wiener and Neeraj Chauhan hit the inner X-ring for the Knights in the decisive shoot-off after the Marathas lost their advantage.
Marathas paid the price for substituting their leading recurve archer, Dhiraj Bommadevara, after the first two sets. The Archery World Cup Final champion had shot three 10s and a 9 in his four arrows before being replaced by Mrinal Chauhan, who struggled as the Knights fought back.
The franchise-based Archery Premier League features six teams and 48 archers, including 36 Indians and 12 international stars. The tournament will conclude on October 18, with the top four teams competing in the semifinals before the title clash.