After Asian Games Glory, Indian Archers Turn Focus To Archery Premier League

Fresh from their Asian Games high, Indian archery stars will switch from national colours to franchise jerseys when the second season of the Archery Premier League begins on October 8. Indian archers registered a nine-medal haul, including five gold medals, at the continental event. Kumkum Anil Mohod, 17, became the first Indian to win an individual Asian Games gold medal in recurve archery, while Jyothi Surekha Vennam helped India defend its women's team gold and Sahil Rajesh Jadhav won two gold medals.

In Hyderabad, they will carry that form into their respective franchise squads, competing alongside and against some of the world's leading archers.

APL Season 2 will feature 48 archers across six franchises, equally divided between men and women in recurve and compound events.

The league's 15-second shot clock adds another challenge, requiring archers to make quick decisions and deliver under pressure.

Kumkum and Sahil will join forces for Chero Archers, with Danish star Mathias Fullerton and two-time Olympian Atanu Das adding international and Indian experience.

Chola Chiefs will pair Asian Games double gold medallist Chikitha Taniparthi with Brazil's Marcus D'Almeida. Four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari and World Championships silver medallist Rajat Chauhan further strengthen a squad that combines emerging talent with established names.

Defending champions Rajputana Royals will look to retain their crown with Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz and British compound star Ella Gibson.

Asian Games gold medallist Ankita Bhakat, former world champion Ojas Pravin Deotale and Kushal Dalal add depth to their title defence.

Mighty Marathas will bring together Asian Games silver medallist Dhiraj Bommadevara, Dutch compound star Mike Schloesser and Mexican Olympic medallist Alejandra Valencia. Parneet Kaur, Mrinal Chauhan and Madhura Dhamangaonkar strengthen the franchise's Indian contingent.

Multiple Asian Games gold medallist Jyothi will lead Kakatiya Knights' challenge alongside Nico Wiener, Elia Canales and Asian Games silver medallist Neeraj Chauhan. World Cup stage gold medallist Ridhi Phor also features in the squad.

Prithviraj Yodhas will bank on Andrea Becerra and former Asian Games gold medallist Abhishek Verma, with Matias Grande, Gatha Anandrao Khadake and Asian Games women's recurve team gold medallist Kirti Sharma adding to their challenge.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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