The inaugural Archery Premier League (APL) concluded in spectacular fashion at the Yamuna Sports Complex, with the Rajputana Royals edging out Prithviraaj Yodhas in a dramatic shoot-off to lift the maiden APL title.
In a fitting finale that showcased precision, composure, and high-stakes drama, the Royals prevailed 5–4 after both teams fought toe-to-toe through four intense sets. The final, played in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, kept the packed arena on its feet till the last arrow. When the tension finally peaked in the decisive shoot-off, it came down to two of the Royals’ most consistent compound archers Ojas Deotale and Ella Gibson both of whom found the yellow dot with ice-cold precision. The Yodhas, who had been near flawless all evening, faltered at the last hurdle as none of their four shooters could match the Royals’ accuracy.
A Fitting Finale for a Historic Beginning
The Yodhas, led by veteran compound star Abhishek Verma, can take pride in their performance. They not only pushed the Royals to the brink but also etched their names in APL history by becoming the first team ever to record a perfect 80 eight consecutive 10s in a set. It was a feat that underlined both the rising competitive standard of Indian archery and the technical brilliance the league had brought to the forefront. Verma, alongside Matias Grande, Gatha Khadake, and Andrea Becerra, helped the Yodhas surge ahead 4–2 after three sets. Yet, as the match would prove, momentum in archery can shift in a single arrow.
The final began on a dramatic note. In the opening set, a line call on Gatha Khadake’s arrow went to the judges, who upgraded the score — giving the Yodhas a narrow 78–77 win. But the Royals, true to their reputation for resilience, hit back immediately. Led by Ojas Deotale’s steady scoring and Ankita Bhakat’s sharp consistency, they won the second set 78–75 to level the tie at 2–2.
The third set saw the Yodhas deliver a moment of perfection eight arrows, eight 10s sealing an 80–77 victory and pushing ahead 4–2. For a moment, it looked like they had one hand on the trophy. Then came the turning point. In the fourth set, with the Royals trailing by a single point, Matias Grande needed a nine to clinch the title for the Yodhas. Instead, his arrow struck an eight. The Royals capitalized, edging the set 78–77 to force a 4–4 deadlock and send the final into a nail-biting shoot-off.
And that’s where champions are made. Deotale and Gibson, both calm under immense pressure, struck the yellow dot to give the Royals a 2–0 shoot-off win and with it, the inaugural APL Championship.
The Royals’ Journey: Dominance and Discipline
The Rajputana Royals’ triumph was no overnight miracle. It was the culmination of a near-perfect campaign one that saw them lose just once in 12 matches throughout the season. Their blend of world-class precision and balanced team composition made them the standout side of the league. Their lineup combined global pedigree and homegrown excellence Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Mete Gazoz and India’s Ankita Bhakat led the recurves, while Ojas Deotale and Ella Gibson, both world champions in compound, provided the power and poise that anchored the team.
Semifinal 1: Royals Cruise Past Chero Archers
Earlier in the day, the Royals set the tone with a commanding 5–1 victory over the Chero Archers in the first semifinal. Dropping just six points across three sets, the league-stage toppers looked in complete control. After a tied opening set (78–78), they tightened their precision to take the next two 79–77 and 77–75, sealing the win.
The highlight came when Mete Gazoz, true to his Olympic pedigree, closed the match with a final-arrow 10, reaffirming the Royals’ depth and composure. Deotale and Gibson once again led from the front, maintaining their remarkable streak of 10s throughout the tie.
Semifinal 2: Yodhas Edge the Marathas in a Thriller
If the Royals’ semifinal was clinical, the second semifinal was pure drama. The Prithviraaj Yodhas edged past the Mighty Marathas in a contest that swung with every arrow and ended in controversy. The Yodhas took the first set 78–74, but the Marathas, powered by compound legend Mike Schloesser, rallied to level at 2–2 with a 79–76 second set. Verma’s precision then pushed the Yodhas ahead again, as they took the third set 78–74.
The fourth set appeared to belong to the Marathas, who initially led by one point. However, a remeasure by the judges upgraded a Yodhas’ arrow, changing the set result from 77–78 to 78–78 enough for the Yodhas to clinch the match 5–3 and book their spot in the final.
The Archery Premier League 2025 marked a defining moment for Indian archery. Modeled on franchise-based sports leagues, it brought together India’s finest and international stars, delivering top-tier competition and mass appeal to a sport often underrepresented in the mainstream. With packed stands, live coverage, and precision shooting under pressure, the APL succeeded in its mission to make archery a spectator sport. And in Rajputana Royals, it found worthy first champions: disciplined, daring, and deeply consistent.
As the confetti fell and the Royals lifted the inaugural trophy, there was a sense that Indian archery had turned a corner from a niche pursuit into a sport ready to capture national imagination.
The Royals’ crown, earned arrow by arrow, wasn’t just a victory for one team it was a victory for the sport itself.
