Saltillo, Mexico, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : Dheeraj Bommadevara has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian man to win the Archery World Cup Final. His remarkable victory came on September 14, 2026, in Saltillo, Mexico, where he showcased exceptional composure during a high-pressure shoot-off. This win marks a significant achievement for Indian archery, especially after a 16-year gap since Jayanth Talukdar’s medal at the World Cup Final.
The 25-year-old, ranked 10th in the world, faced Japan’s Junya Nakanishi in a thrilling final. After five sets, the match was tied at 5-5, leading to a shoot-off where Dheeraj scored a perfect 10, while Nakanishi managed a 9, securing the gold medal for India.
This victory is particularly meaningful for Dheeraj, who had previously returned empty-handed from the last two World Cup Finals in 2023 and 2024. His performance in the knockout rounds was impressive, culminating in a showdown against the 20th-ranked Nakanishi.
The final was fiercely contested, with scores of 28-28, 28-29, 29-28, 28-30, and 28-27 across the five sets, illustrating the narrow margin of victory. Dheeraj’s triumph not only changes the narrative for Indian archery but also breaks a long-standing drought, as no Indian man had won a gold medal in this prestigious event since Talukdar’s bronze in 2010.
Dheeraj’s win is historic as it follows the only other individual World Cup Final champion from India, Dola Banerjee, who claimed the women’s title in Dubai in 2007. This achievement adds to the legacy of Indian archery, where Deepika Kumari remains the most decorated archer with six World Cup Final medals. After two previous attempts without a medal, Dheeraj’s victory in Saltillo marks the pinnacle of his career.
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