The Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 got off to an exciting start on Thursday, October 8, in Hyderabad, with Rajputana Royals, Kakatiya Knights and Chero Archers claiming victories in the opening round. The first day featured intense competition, exceptional shooting and a dramatic shoot-off as six franchise teams began their battle for supremacy.
The tournament, scheduled from October 8 to 18, brings together talented Indian and international archers competing in a team-based format featuring recurve and compound archery. With three matches completed on the opening evening, the competition has already delivered several memorable moments.
Rajputana Royals Begin Campaign with Victory Over Prithviraj Yodhas
The opening match saw Rajputana Royals defeat Prithviraj Yodhas 5–3 in a competitive encounter.
Rajputana Royals established an early advantage by winning the first end 75–69. However, Prithviraj Yodhas responded strongly in the second end, winning 74–73 to bring themselves back into contention.
Both teams delivered outstanding performances in the third end, finishing level at 77–77 and sharing the set points. With the match finely balanced, Rajputana Royals held their nerve in the fourth end, scoring 76 against 75 to secure a 5–3 victory.
The result gave Rajputana Royals a winning start to their campaign and two valuable league points.
Kakatiya Knights Win Dramatic Shoot-Off Against Mighty Marathas
The second match produced the biggest drama of the opening day as Kakatiya Knights defeated Mighty Marathas 5–4 following a shoot-off.
Mighty Marathas started strongly, winning the first two ends with scores of 76–73 and 77–74, respectively, to establish a commanding 4–0 lead.
However, Kakatiya Knights mounted an impressive comeback. They won the third end 75–67 before taking the fourth end 76–70, leveling the match at 4–4.
With the teams tied after four ends, the contest was decided by a shoot-off. Kakatiya Knights registered two successful hits, while Mighty Marathas failed to record a hit, handing the Knights a remarkable comeback victory.
The match demonstrated the unpredictable nature of team archery, where momentum can shift quickly and composure under pressure becomes decisive.
Chero Archers Defeat Chola Chiefs in Final Match of the Evening
In the final match of Day 1, Chero Archers secured a 5–3 victory over Chola Chiefs, completing the opening round of league action.
Chero Archers began confidently, winning the first end 73–69. Chola Chiefs responded in the second end with a narrow 71–70 victory.
The third end belonged to Chero Archers, who delivered one of the strongest team scores of the evening with an impressive 79 points out of a possible 80, compared with 75 from Chola Chiefs.
The fourth end ended in a 73–73 tie, giving both teams one set point and confirming a 5–3 victory for Chero Archers.
Their consistent performance and outstanding third-end shooting established Chero Archers as an early team to watch.
Day 2 Matches:
Individual Excellence Recognized with Day 1 Awards
Alongside the exciting team encounters, four archers received recognition for their performances on the opening day.
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Best Men's Recurve Archer: Bommadevara Dhiraj — Mighty Marathas
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Best Women's Recurve Archer: Ankita Bhakat — Rajputana Royals
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Best Men's Compound Archer: Nico Wiener — Kakatiya Knights
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Best Women's Compound Archer: Andrea Becerra — Prithviraj Yodhas
These awards highlight the individual talent on display across the four categories and underline the importance of both individual excellence and teamwork in the Archery Premier League.
Opening-Day League Standings
Following the first three matches, Rajputana Royals, Chero Archers and Kakatiya Knights sit at the top of the standings with two points each.
| Team | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajputana Royals | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Chero Archers | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Kakatiya Knights | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Mighty Marathas | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Prithviraj Yodhas | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Chola Chiefs | 0 | 1 | 0 |
With the tournament still in its early stages, the standings are expected to evolve as the teams continue their round-robin campaigns.
Day 2: Exciting Encounters Await
The competition continues on Friday, October 9, with three more matches scheduled:
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7:45 PM: Kakatiya Knights vs Chola Chiefs
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8:20 PM: Rajputana Royals vs Chero Archers
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9:00 PM: Mighty Marathas vs Prithviraj Yodhas
One of the key encounters will feature Rajputana Royals against Chero Archers, with both teams seeking their second consecutive victory.
Meanwhile, Mighty Marathas and Prithviraj Yodhas will look to bounce back from their opening-day defeats.
Follow Live Scores and Match Results
Archery fans can follow the Archery Premier League 2026 through the online results platform provided by Archery Solutions (ATS Bow).
The platform allows spectators, coaches, athletes and supporters to access match scores, end-by-end arrow details, team standings and upcoming fixtures.
Live Results: https://results.atsbow.com/event/APL2026/round-robin
With a dramatic opening day setting the tone for the tournament, the Archery Premier League 2026 promises more close contests, impressive performances and exciting moments as the teams compete for the championship.
Stay connected with Archery Solutions for match results, standings and updates throughout the Archery Premier League 2026.
