Top-ranked India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara scripted history by becoming the first Indian male recurve archer to win gold at the World Cup Final, edging Japan’s Nakanishi Junya in a thrilling shoot-off at Saltilla in Mexico.

 

The 25-year-old World No 10 Army man produced a dominant run, powering through the quarterfinals and semifinals before overcoming world No. 20 Nakanishi 6-5 in a hard-fought five-setter. After a 5-5 tie, Dhiraj prevailed 10-9 in the shoot-off. He also ended a 16-year wait for an Indian male recurve archer to win a medal in this prestigious event. Jayanta Talukdar was the last male recurve archer to win a medal – a bronze in Edinburgh 2010.

 

Dola Banerjee remains the only other Indian to have won World Cup Final gold, claiming the women’s individual title in the 2007 edition in Dubai.