New Delhi: Dhiraj Bommadevara created history for Indian archery by winning the Recurve Men’s Individual title at the 2026 Archery World Cup Final in Saltillo, Mexico.
Dhiraj defeated Junya Nakanishi of Japan in a thrilling final that went down to a shoot-off, holding his nerve under pressure to claim the prestigious World Cup Final title.
With this victory, Dhiraj becomes the first Indian male recurve archer to win the Archery World Cup Final title, adding another landmark achievement to his growing international record and further strengthening his momentum as he looks ahead to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games later this month.
The victory caps a strong 2026 World Cup season for Dhiraj, who had earlier won the Recurve Men’s Individual gold at World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya and also secured Recurve Mixed Team gold with Kumkum Anil Mohod.
The World Cup Final brings together the leading archers of the season, making Dhiraj’s victory a significant achievement against one of the strongest fields in the sport.
Shri Arjun Munda, President, Archery Association of India, said, “Dhiraj’s victory at the World Cup Final is a moment of immense pride for Indian archery. Becoming the first Indian male recurve archer to win this prestigious title is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of his hard work, discipline and belief in his ability.
“This has been a very strong season for Dhiraj, and to finish it by winning the World Cup Final against the world’s best archers makes the achievement even more special. I congratulate Dhiraj, his coaches and everyone who has supported him throughout his journey. This victory will give further confidence to our athletes and inspire the next generation of Indian archers.”
Shri Virendra Sachdeva, Secretary General, Archery Association of India, said, “Dhiraj has shown tremendous consistency and composure throughout the season, and winning the World Cup Final is a fitting culmination of that effort. A World Cup Final demands the highest level of skill, focus and mental strength, particularly when competing against the world’s best.
“As we now look ahead to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, this victory will give Dhiraj and the Indian recurve team valuable confidence going into another important international competition. His performance is a reflection of the growing strength of Indian recurve archery and the depth of talent within our senior programme.
“The entire Archery Association of India congratulates Dhiraj on this historic achievement and wishes him and the Indian team the very best for the Asian Games and the challenges ahead.”
With another major international challenge on the horizon, Dhiraj will now turn his focus to the Asian Games, where he will take on the continent’s leading archers.
Dhiraj Bommadevara’s World Cup Final victory marks a landmark moment for Indian archery and adds another significant chapter to India’s growing presence at the highest level of the sport.