Indian Archer Dhiraj Bommadevara Makes History with Gold at World Cup Final
Dhiraj Bommadevara delivered an outstanding performance this Sunday, making history as the first Indian male recurve archer to win gold at the World Cup Final. He triumphed in an intense shoot-off against Japan’s Nakanishi Junya, showcasing his skill and composure.
The 25-year-old, who is currently ranked 10th in the world, won the final match 6-5 after a gripping five sets, ultimately clinching the victory 10-9 in the shoot-off. This remarkable win marks the end of a 16-year wait for an Indian male recurve archer to secure a medal at this prestigious event.
After previously finishing without medals in both the 2023 and 2024 World Cups, Dhiraj came into this competition determined and in great form, carrying his winning momentum all the way to the top.
A Thrilling Final Match
The gold-medal match was nail-biting from the start. Nakanishi, who had just eliminated the Tokyo Olympics champion Mete Gazoz in the semifinals, set the pace early on, putting Dhiraj under pressure with his strong performance.
Nakanishi only dropped three points in his first six arrows, taking an early 3-1 lead. However, Dhiraj responded calmly in the third set, scoring 29 points to level the match at 3-3. The Japanese archer then achieved a perfect score in the fourth set, putting him ahead 5-3, just one set away from victory.
But Dhiraj wasn’t ready to back down. In the decisive fifth set, he held steady under pressure, scoring only two points, while Nakanishi stumbled with a score of 27. This tied the match at 5-5, leading to a shoot-off.
In the shoot-off, Dhiraj delivered when it counted most, scoring a perfect 10, while Nakanishi managed just a 9, sealing Dhiraj’s historic win.
A Strong Path to Gold
Dhiraj’s journey to gold started in the quarterfinals against Turkey’s Berkim Tumer, where he made a strong impression with a 7-1 victory, winning every set without dropping a point. He followed that up by taking down France’s Jean-Charles Valladont, a silver medalist from the Rio Olympics, again with a commanding 7-1 score.
This victory is a significant improvement from Dhiraj’s first World Cup Final appearance in Hermosillo in 2023, where he made it to the semifinals but lost in the race for bronze.
Breaking an Indian Dry Spell
Dhiraj’s victory is not just a personal milestone but a historic moment for Indian archery. Jayanta Talukdar was the last Indian male recurve archer to win a medal at the World Cup Final, claiming bronze in 2010. Dhiraj has now surpassed that achievement by winning gold.
Additionally, Dola Banerjee remains the only other Indian to have won individual World Cup Final gold, achieving the feat in 2007. Deepika Kumari holds the record for the most medals in this event among Indians, with five silvers and one bronze from eight appearances.
Onward to the Asian Games
Celebrations for Dhiraj will be brief as he heads directly to Japan for the upcoming Asian Games, where he will lead India’s recurve archery team. Although he exited in the quarterfinals during the last Hangzhou Games, he came home with a team silver. This time, he carries with him not just momentum but also the title of World Cup Final champion, having made his mark in the history of Indian recurve archery.
Published By: Amar Panicker
Published On: Sep 14, 2026 01:16 IST
