Dhiraj seeks day-night mix in Archery Premier League

Ranchi: World No. 4 recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara has called for a mix of daytime and night matches in the Archery Premier League, saying exposure to different shooting conditions will help Indian archers prepare better for major international competitions.

The 25-year-old, the first Indian male to win an individual World Cup Final gold, has featured in both seasons of the league, which has been held entirely under lights.

He believes introducing daytime matches alongside evening contests would offer athletes a more varied competitive experience. “It is good that we are getting opportunities to shoot both in the morning and at night. That helps us prepare for different situations,” the archer, who represents Mighty Marathas in the APL, told PTI. “We never know whether a competition will take place in the morning or at night. We need to prepare for every possibility.”

While the Olympics and World Cups feature matches at different times, Dhiraj said archers must learn to adapt rather than assume that competitions will follow a fixed schedule. “I cannot say definitively whether it makes a difference or not. But it is good that we are getting opportunities to shoot both in the morning and at night,” he said, advocating exposure to both conditions.

The APL’s shift from Delhi to Hyderabad has brought another challenge—the wind—into sharper focus. Dhiraj said the conditions have encouraged better communication and tactical coordination between recurve and compound archers. “The main change is the wind factor. There was not much wind in Delhi, especially at night. In Hyderabad, however, we have experienced considerable wind, whether we shoot in the morning or at night,” he said.

Beyond the competition, Dhiraj credited the APL with helping Indian archers build closer relationships with international stars through shared training sessions and informal discussions.

The tournament features world’s top archers, including Mike Schloesser (Marathas), Mathias Fullerton (Chero Archers), and Tokyo Olympics champion Mete Gazoz (Rajputana Royals).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tapan Mohanta

[email protected]