Asian Games Stars, Olympic Medallists Set To Light Up Archery Premier League Season 2

Fresh from a historic Asian Games campaign, India’s archery stars will return to competitive action in a very different setting as the second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) begins here on Thursday.

The six-team franchise league, being held from October 8 to 18 at People’s Plaza on Necklace Road, brings together some of India’s biggest names alongside international archers in a fast-paced format designed to test both skill and composure.

India’s archers emerged as the standout performers at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, finishing ahead of traditional powerhouse South Korea. The APL now gives those medal winners another challenge, competing alongside and, at times, directly against their own national teammates.

One of the biggest differences is the 15-second shooting window for each arrow, leaving little room for hesitation or overthinking. The league also brings recurve and compound archers together, unlike conventional World Archery competitions.

Asian Games gold medallist Chikitha Taniparthi, who represented Chola Chiefs in the inaugural season, credited the league with helping her handle pressure better.

Former world No. 1 Deepika Kumari, also of Chola Chiefs, said the shortened shooting time makes the competition particularly challenging while giving younger archers valuable exposure.

The opening day features a rematch of last season’s final between Rajputana Royals and Prithviraaj Yodhas. Jyothi Surekha Vennam’s Kakatiya Knights face Dhiraj Bommadevara’s Mighty Marathas, while Chero Archers, featuring Kumkum Mohod and Atanu Das, take on Chola Chiefs.

The league features 48 Indian and international archers across six mixed squads. Teams will play a double round-robin league, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals before the October 18 final.