Dhiraj Bommadevara becomes first Indian to win World Cup final gold

New Delhi, Sep 15, 2026 : 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 Saltillo in Mexico.

The 25-year-old World Number 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.