In a tale of resilience, jet lag, and sheer determination, Indian archer Dhiraj Bommadevara defied odds and timelines to return home with two medals at the Archery World Cup in Florida, marking a remarkable start to his 2025 season.
It wasn’t the smoothest beginning for the 23-year-old recurve specialist. With just hours to go before his event, Dhiraj was still grounded in India due to visa delays, leaving his World Cup participation hanging by a thread. But fate had other plans. As soon as he landed in Florida on April 9, he rushed from the airport straight to the qualification round, barely getting time to rest or even warm up.
Despite the chaos, Dhiraj proved why he is among the top-ranked archers in the world. His cool-headed performance in the individual men’s recurve event saw him secure bronze after a thrilling 6-4 win over Spain’s Temiño Mediel in the playoff. The medal was not just a testament to his skill but also his ability to handle pressure under extreme circumstances—an early morning flight, transcontinental travel, and instant competition.
But that wasn't all.
Dhiraj also played a pivotal role in India's men's team event, guiding them to the final, where they clinched a silver medal, adding another feather to his already decorated cap. The team, featuring India’s top archers, put up a spirited fight against strong opponents, proving their medal-winning mettle yet again.
“I just made it in time. While flying, I kept preparing mentally because I knew if I got a chance, it would be last-minute. So, I had to be ready,” said Dhiraj, reflecting on the hectic journey from India to Florida, a distance of over 14,000 km, made worth every mile with two podium finishes.
Notably, this isn’t Dhiraj’s first major achievement. He was part of the Asian Games 2023 silver-winning squad and has steadily built his world ranking since. With a personal best score of 693, a season best of 666, and an average arrow score of 9.4, he is a consistent presence in global competitions. Ranked 11th globally (as of April 2025) and having peaked at 10th in December 2024, Dhiraj is clearly heading toward the elite tier of world archery.
His journey speaks volumes about the growing mental strength in Indian archery. While many would have faltered under the strain of travel fatigue and administrative uncertainty, Dhiraj rose to the occasion. His grit also comes from his training base at the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, known for producing Olympic-level talent.
As the focus now shifts to the next World Cup stage in Shanghai, Dhiraj is expected to lead the charge. His recent performances indicate that he's not just chasing medals—he's preparing to become one of India's top contenders for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
With 2025 shaping up to be a crucial year for India’s Olympic hopefuls, Dhiraj’s Florida campaign offers a blueprint of what determination, preparation, and last-minute faith can achieve.