Kumkum Mohod back from Asian Games but Chero Archers beaten by Prithviraaj Yodhas in APL shoot-off

Kumkum Mohod returned to competition after her Asian Games gold, but Chero Archers suffered their first Archery Premier League Season 2 defeat when Prithviraaj Yodhas edged them in a shoot-off at Hyderabad's People's Plaza on Saturday, the Yodhas winning 4-4 (1-0).

The match, billed as the day's highlight, went the distance after Chero forced a tie by winning the fourth set; the initial hit-or-miss tie-breaker saw all eight archers miss the inner yellow ring and proved inconclusive, sending the contest into successive sudden-death rounds where archers alternated attempts at the target.

The decisive moment arrived in the third sudden-death round when Mexican recurve archer Matias Grande hit the inner ring and Prithika Pradeep could not match his shot, giving Prithviraaj Yodhas the victory; Mohod, making her first appearance since the Asian Games, produced several strong arrows but could not prevent her team's unbeaten run ending on the final arrow.

Speaking after the match, Grande said, "This is a very small target. A little bit of luck, it was a good shot. In the first season it was smaller, and this time, it is more achievable I think. We are happy with the win. Honestly, it is a very special feeling, but it is not who gets the arrow to win the match, it is a team win."

Earlier, Mighty Marathas recorded their first win of the season with a 6-0 victory over Chola Chiefs; compound archer Mike Schloesser shot six 10s from six arrows, and Dhiraj Bommadevara produced a crucial 10 as the clock wound down in the second set to help the Marathas build a 4-0 lead after taking the opening set 74-73 and finish the third set 74-72.

In the day's final match, Kakatiya Knights defeated defending champions Rajputana Royals 6-2 to give the Royals a second straight loss, with Asian Games recurve bronze medallist Neeraj Chauhan delivering X-ring 10s and Jyothi Surekha Vennam contributing to the Knights' comeback after Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz helped the Royals take the opening set; the Knights then won the next three sets to secure the match.

The Archery Premier League's second season features six teams and 48 archers, including 36 Indians and 12 international competitors, and will conclude on October 18 with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals before the final.

On Sunday the schedule lists Chero Archers against Kakatiya Knights, Chola Chiefs versus Prithviraaj Yodhas, and Mighty Marathas meeting Rajputana Royals.