Dhiraj Bommadevara wins India’s first recurve gold in Archery World Cup Final
Dhiraj also ended a 16-year wait for an Indian male recurve archer to win the title
Dhiraj Bommadevara achieved a historic feat in Saltillo, Mexico, by becoming the first Indian male recurve archer to win gold at the Archery World Cup Final on Sunday. He defeated Japan’s Nakanishi Junya in a tense shoot-off to clinch the top spot.
This has been a brilliant result for Bommadevara. The 23-year-old, who represented India at the Paris 2024 Olympics, took part in the last three editions but failed to clinch a podium finish in the final.
Bommadevara’s win ended India’s 16-year wait for a men’s recurve medal at the event, following Jayanta Talukdar’s bronze at the 2010 edition in Edinburgh.
He is only the second Indian archer to win an individual title at the Archery World Cup Final. Dola Banerjee is the only other Indian to achieve the feat, having won the women’s individual title at the 2007 edition in Dubai.
Bommadevara’s latest achievement is a big morale boost for the Hyderabad native ahead of his Asian Games 2026 campaign, where he will lead India’s 12-member archery contingent.
Also Read: India’s full archery contingent for Asian Games 2026
Dhiraj Bommadevara wins dramatic shoot-off
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Bommadevara’s final against Nakanishi was closely fought from the opening set, with both archers scoring 28 to share the first point. The Japanese archer then moved 3-1 ahead by winning the second set 29-28.
The Indian archer fought back by winning the third set 29-28, but Nakanishi responded by winning the fourth set 30-28, registering a perfect score. Bommadevara forced a shoot-off by winning the fifth set 28-27. The shoot-off was won by the Indian archer, who registered a 10, compared to a 9 by Nakanishi.
Fans will hope that Bommadevara, an Asian Archery Championships gold medallist last year, can carry this form into the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Bommadevara will compete in the men’s recurve event along with Neeraj Chauhan and Yashdeep Bhoge.
Who won India’s first recurve gold at Archery World Cup Final?
Dhiraj Bommadevara clinched the men’s recurve gold in Saltillo, Mexico, defeating Japan’s Nakanishi Junya in a shoot‑off.
How many Indians have won gold at Archery World Cup Final?
Only two Indian archers have won individual gold medals – Dola Banerjee (2007, women’s recurve) and Dhiraj Bommadevara (2026, men’s recurve).
When will the Asian Games 2026 take place?
The Asian Games 2026 will be held in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
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