Archery Premier League: Chola Chiefs end five-match losing run

Chola Chiefs ended a five-match losing streak by defeating Prithviraaj Yodhas in a shootoff in the Archery Premier League Season 2 at People’s Plaza on Thursday.

Alejandra Usquiano was the hero for Chiefs, finishing the regulation rounds with a perfect 80 out of 80. Chiefs took the first two sets and seemed poised to close out the match in the third, until their recurve archers Yuktha Sri and Marcus D’Almeida each landed arrows in the seven-ring and allowed Yodhas back into the contest. A 10 from Gatha Khadake in the fourth set levelled the scores, and Usquiano alongside Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri held steady in the shootoff to secure Chiefs their second win.

Mighty Marathas struggled early against Rajputana Royals, failing to release their final arrow in both the first and second sets as Alejandra Valencia and Mrinal Chauhan succumbed to time pressure. Marathas recovered to take the third set, but Rajputana Royals ultimately prevailed 6-2. Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz produced a 10 with his last arrow for Royals.

Kakatiya Knights were without Neeraj Chauhan, and his recurve backup Rohit Kumar took time to find form as Chero Archers built a lead. Chero, captained in the match by Atanu Das and featuring compound world No. 1 Mathias Fullerton, were steady from the outset and closed the tie in three sets.

The scores were: Chola Chiefs tied with Prithviraj Yodhas 4-4 (76-72, 78-77, 72-75, 74-77), Chiefs won 2-0 in shootoff. Rajputana Royals bt Mighty Marathas 6-2 (77-65, 75-66, 73-76, 77-74) and Chero Archers bt Kakatiya Knights 6-0 (76-73, 77-76, 75-74).