Archery Premier League: Olympic medalist Casey Kaufhold to debut as 12 top global stars join season 2

Hyderabad, Aug 22 (IANS) Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Casey Kaufhold of the USA will make her debut as part of a star-studded line-up of 12 overseas archers from 10 different countries competing in the second edition of the Archery Premier League (APL), scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from October 8.

The second edition of the league, an initiative of the Archery Association of India, is held with support from the Government of Telangana, bringing together 48 athletes divided across six region-based franchises.

Speaking on the announcement, Anil Kamineni, director, APL, said, “Bringing 12 leading international archers, including three Olympic medallists, to APL Season 2 reflects our ambition to make India an important destination on the global archery calendar. Casey Kaufhold’s debut, alongside the return of champions such as Mete Gazoz, gold medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Alejandra Valencia, two-time bronze medallist at the Tokyo & Paris Olympics, will uplift the level of competition and give Indian archers invaluable exposure to the world’s best.”

Reigning World Games individual champions Mike Schloesser, world No. 2 currently, and Andrea Becerra, world No. 1 currently, will return after competing in the inaugural season. Season 1 standout and 2025 World Championship silver medallist Mathias Fullerton, world No.1 currently, will also return, alongside Mexico’s 22-year-old Matias Grande, world No. 3 currently, and Spain’s Elia Canales for the 11-day tournament.

Casey Kaufhold, who won an Olympic medal at the age of 20, will join an elite roster that includes Olympic medallists Mete Gazoz of Turkey and Alejandra Valencia of Mexico, both of whom competed in the league’s inaugural season.

Reacting to her participation in APL, Casey said, “I am looking forward to competing in the Archery Premier League. The 15-second shot clock will be a new challenge, but I enjoy formats that demand focus, composure and trust in every shot. I am also excited to compete alongside some of the world’s best archers, and connect with the passionate archery fans in India.”

World No. 3 in compound archery, Alejandra Usquiano of Colombia, and Brazil’s Marcus D’Almeida, world No. 1 currently, and a bronze medallist at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, are among the other international archers set to make their APL debuts in Hyderabad.

Great Britain’s Ella Gibson, currently world No. 2, who was part of the winning franchise Rajputana Royals in the first season, will be back alongside world No. 5 Compound Archer Nico Wiener for the second season.

Featuring six franchise teams, APL brings together Recurve and Compound archers, with both men and women competing together in a unique league format. The league further enhances the excitement with an innovative 15-second shot clock, adding speed, strategy, and intensity to every contest.

Through world-class competition and innovative presentation, APL aims to broaden the sport’s appeal, strengthen India’s archery ecosystem, and create greater opportunities for athletes and fans alike.

–IANS

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