Young archers Gatha and Ganesh drive Warriors to decisive win over Chero

In a spectacular display of youthful talent, the Prithviraj Warriors triumphed 5‑1 against the Chero Archers in the Archery Premier League’s second season on Wednesday, October 14, at Hyderabad’s Peoples Plaza. The match marked a dramatic shift from their previous showdown, which had been decided by three sudden‑death tie‑breakers.

Sixteen‑year‑old Gatha Anandarav Khadake emerged as the standout performer, tallying 58 points out of 60. His compatriot, compound specialist Ganesh Thirumuruk, a recent Asian Games medalist, contributed 59 points. Their combined firepower propelled the Warriors to eight points, ending a series of defeats.

The Archers fell to their third consecutive loss. After a dead‑heat 75‑75 in the opening set, Chero’s Kumkum Mohod could only muster seven points before the clock expired in the second set, whereas the Warriors amassed four ten‑point scores to pull ahead. USA’s Kelsey Coffhold stepped in for Kumkum before the final set, starting with eight points and allowing the Warriors to seize the initiative. Gatha’s two flawless ten‑point rounds and Matthias Grande’s closing shots secured a 77‑74 victory.

The APL, the inaugural franchise‑based archery circuit, features six teams and a total of 48 archers—36 from India and 12 international stars. The competition will culminate on October 18 with a grand finale where the top four semifinalists will contest the championship.

Going forward, the Warriors will look to maintain their momentum and secure a semifinal spot, while the Chero Archers must address their recent shortcomings before the league’s decisive phase.