Schloesser’s perfect six powers Marathas to 6-0 Win

Hyderabad: Mighty Marathas bounced back from two successive defeats with a commanding 6-0 victory over Chola Chiefs in the second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) here on Saturday, winning without dropping a single set.

Led by Mike Schloesser, nicknamed ‘Mr. Perfect’, and supported by Dhiraj Bommadevara, the Marathas secured their first win of the tournament, while the Chiefs suffered their second defeat in three matches. Schloesser lived up to his reputation, hitting 10s with all six arrows.

The Chiefs persisted with their strategy of sending compound archers back-to-back at the start of the opening set. However, Chikitha Taniparthi’s two 9s prevented them from building scoreboard pressure. Despite a couple of 8s from the Marathas’ recurve archers, their compound archers helped secure the set 74-73.

Bommadevara delivered a crucial 10 in the second set as the clock wound down, extending the Marathas’ lead to 4-0. Taniparthi again shot two 9s, prompting the Chiefs to introduce Colombian archer Alejandra Usquiano, who had impressed on the previous day.

In the third set, Deepika Kumari and Marcus D’Almeida failed to maintain the pressure, shooting outside the yellow scoring zone. The Marathas remained consistent to win the set 74-72, sealing the match before a fourth set was required.

Initiated by the Archery Association of India, the APL is the world’s first franchise-based archery league, featuring six teams and 48 archers, including 36 Indians and 12 international stars. The competition is being held at People’s Plaza in Hyderabad and concludes on October 18, with the top four teams contesting the semifinals and final. On Sunday, Chero Archers face local franchise Kakatiya Knights, Chola Chiefs meet Prithviraaj Yodhas, and Mighty Marathas take on defending champions Rajputana Royals.

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