Day 5 of the Archery Premier League (APL) produced a mix of resilience, redemption, and razor-thin margins at the Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi.
Despite damp and windy conditions, the world’s finest archers put on a thrilling display of composure and class as the Rajputana Royals extended their unbeaten run to five matches, while the Kakatiya Knights finally broke their winless streak with a fighting victory.
Three gripping contests kept the crowd largely made up of school children on their feet throughout the day. The Mighty Marathas opened proceedings with a 6–2 win over Prithviraaj Yodhas, followed by the Knights edging out the Chola Chiefs 5–3. The night concluded with a dramatic encounter where the Royals defeated the Chero Archers in a nail-biting shootoff after a 4–4 deadlock.
The day began with the Mighty Marathas delivering a controlled 6–2 win over the Prithviraaj Yodhas, a result built on consistency despite the intermittent drizzle. Aman Saini started in style, nailing a perfect 10, while Abhishek Verma replied with a 9 for the Yodhas. The Marathas’ Parneet Kaur followed with another 10, keeping the momentum alive. Despite a solid challenge from Mrinal Chauhan and Matias Grande, the Yodhas faltered as Gatha Khadake’s poor form proved costly. The Marathas clinched the opening set 77–73.
In the second set, Verma came out stronger with a 10, and both sides exchanged high scores in a tight battle. However, a downgraded Yodhas arrow tipped the balance 74–73 in Marathas’ favor, putting them 4–0 ahead. The Yodhas rallied in the third set, with Verma again leading the charge, guiding his team to a 75–72 win to make it 4–2. But with rain intensifying, the Marathas regained focus and sealed the match with a dominant 77–61 finish in the fourth set.
Knights Break Their Duck Against the Chiefs
In one of the most competitive ties of the league so far, the Kakatiya Knights edged the Chola Chiefs 5–3 to register their first win of the season. The four-set thriller read 75–75, 75–70, 73–75, and 77–75 in favor of the Knights. The opening set was a show of intent from both teams. The Knights struck three consecutive 10s before Jyothi Surekha Vennam slipped to a 9, giving the Chiefs a window. But with an arrow upgraded and one downgraded after review, the set ended in a 75-all stalemate.
The Knights took charge in the second set as the Chiefs stumbled early with two 8s. A costly 7 from Brady Ellison later in the round left the Chiefs chasing, and Rohit Yadav’s calm 9 sealed the set 75–70 for a 3–1 Knights lead. Veteran Tarundeep Rai replaced Ellison for the Chiefs in the third set but couldn’t spark a turnaround. An 8 on his first arrow handed the Knights an early edge, though Yadav’s twin 10s pulled the Chiefs level. Rai closed the set with a 9 as the Chiefs held their nerve to win 75–73, leveling the match at 3–3.
In the deciding fourth set, the Knights showed composure in the tricky wind. Nico Wiener’s 10 gave them a slender lead early on. Despite the Chiefs’ Marita-Paas and Yadav responding with 10s, it was Jyothi and Rohit who rose under pressure. With the scores at 67–67 heading into the final arrows, Rai’s 9 opened the door, and Rohit closed the match with a decisive 10 to hand the Knights the set 77–75 and their first victory of the season.
Royals Stay Unbeaten in Shoot off Thriller
The final match of the evening turned out to be an instant classic. The Rajputana Royals, already on a four-match winning streak, were pushed to the edge by the Chero Archers before emerging victorious in a tense shootoff to extend their unbeaten run. The Archers started better, taking the first set 74–69 as Katharina Bauer and Mathias Fullerton found early rhythm. But the Royals, known for their grit, bounced back strongly. Compound archer Swati Dudhwal and Olympic recurve champion Mete Gazos combined beautifully to win the next two sets 77–74 and 77–76, turning the match in their favor at 4–2.
Abhishek Verma Hails APL for Boosting Archers’ Exposure and Confidence
Just as the Royals appeared in control, the Chero Archers staged a brilliant fightback in the fourth set, winning it 77–74 to level the tie at 4–4 and force a shootoff. In a dramatic finish, the Royals brought on Ella Gibson, a decision that proved inspired. As the wind swirled under the floodlights, all other archers missed the target except Gibson, whose arrow hit dead-center, sealing a remarkable win for the Royals.
Monday’s conditions tested even the most seasoned archers. The swirling wind and intermittent drizzle added layers of complexity, forcing athletes to adapt their timing and composure with each arrow. Coaches frequently urged calm from the sidelines, and the crowd’s energy added to the charged atmosphere. For the Rajputana Royals, the victory reaffirmed their dominance as they moved closer to sealing the top spot in the first round-robin stage. The Kakatiya Knights, meanwhile, found much-needed confidence ahead of their final league fixture.
As the Archery Premier League inches towards its final round of first-stage matches on Tuesday, the standings remain delicately poised. The Royals’ flawless record makes them the team to beat, while the Knights’ breakthrough win ensures a thrilling race for semifinal qualification.
With five days of high-intensity action now complete, the APL continues to showcase the depth and diversity of world archery talent. The league’s innovative format blending compound and recurve events within mixed teams has kept fans engaged and the results unpredictable. As the tournament moves into its decisive phase, one thing is clear: mental strength, not just marksmanship, will decide who reigns supreme. The Royals remain the benchmark, but as the weather cools and pressure mounts, every arrow from here on will carry the weight of the season.
Day 6 promises more drama, rivalries, and possibly another twist in this evolving tale of precision and poise.
