Archery Premier League: Chola Chiefs returns to winning ways

Chola Chiefs ended a five-match losing streak, beating Prithviraaj Yodhas in a shootoff in the Archery Premier League Season 2 at People’s Plaza on Thursday.

Chiefs won the first two sets and were on course to seal the contest in the third, when their recurve archers Yuktha Sri and Marcus D’Almeida landed the arrows into the seven-ring, giving Yodhas a way back into the contest.

A superb 10 from Gatha Khadake in the fourth set levelled the scores. Alejandra Usquiano, who shot 80 out of 80 in regulation time, and Yuktha Sri Kondapavuluri did not falter in the shootoff to give Chiefs their second win.

Later, Mighty Marathas got off to a nightmare start as it was unable to shoot its final arrow in both the first and second sets, with Alejandra Valencia and Mrinal Chauhan succumbing to time pressure. While it bounced back to take the third set, Rajputana Royals emerged 6-2 winner. Tokyo Olympic champion Mete Gazoz delivered a 10 with his last arrow for Royals.

In the final match, Chero Archers sailed past Kakatiya Knights in three sets. Knights missed the services of Neeraj Chauhan, with his recurve backup Rohit Kumar taking time to get going. On the other hand, Archers, led by Atanu Das and compound world No. 1 Mathias Fullerton, were steady from the start.

The scores: Chola Chiefs tied with Prithviraj Yodhas 4-4 (76-72, 78-77, 72-75, 74-77). Chiefs won 2-0 in shootoff.

Rajputana Royals bt Mighty Marathas 6-2 (77-65, 75-66, 73-76, 77-74).

Chero Archers bt Kakatiya Knights 6-0 (76-73, 77-76, 75-74).