APL: ‘One of the most receiving & giving countries, World No. 1 Brady Ellison mesmerised by India’s massive fan base
Brady Ellison, the world’s No. 1 recurve archer, is making a memorable first trip to India. He’s in New Delhi to compete in the new Archery Premier League (APL), a six‑team tournament that ran from Dussehra (October 2) through October 12.
Ellison’s team, the Chola Chiefs, already boasts a strong record. In three matches the Chiefs have won twice, with Ellison delivering a tight shooting performance that keeps the team ahead.
“It feels great,” Ellison told reporters on the sidelines. “I’m still fighting jet lag, but the fans keep my spirits up. Everyone wants photos, autographs, that kind of thing. I’m seeing a huge fan base that’s cheering me on.”
The American rookie is no stranger to high‑profile pressure. He is the only male archer to have won the Archery World Cup Final six times and has 5 Olympic medals: silver in Paris 2024 and bronze in Rio 2016, among others. He’s also a three‑time field archery champion.
Ellison quickly highlighted the APL’s mix of skill levels. The league features seasoned Indian archers like Deepika Kumari, Atanu Das, Tarundeep Rai and Abhishek Verma, as well as bright young talents such as Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam. He said the competition gives all archers—especially those used to just recurve or just compound—to see how different styles can thrive together.
The format of the APL adds excitement. Each team of eight players combines recurve and compound archers. For each set, the squad has 120 seconds to fire eight arrows (two per archer). Ellison admits the timing feels tight. “We’re hurrying—some are shooting on a buzzer and making mistakes you normally don’t see in regular archery,” he explained. “Getting quick rotations and staying calm is a challenge.”
When asked about the inclusion of compound archery, Ellison added: “Compound is the next evolution of the sport. I look forward to seeing it debut in the mixed team event at the 2028 LA Olympics. While I want recurve to stay strong, it’s great to have both styles represented.”
Ellison also spoke about his experience in India. “I’ve never seen a country so welcoming and generous,” he said. “People here are kind, always asking if you need something, bringing you goodies. It’s a real gift and a joy to be in such a hospitable environment.”
As the APL week continues, Ellison and the rest of the Archery Premier League cast their sights on refining play under the swift, timed format. The Chiefs’ hopes are high, and with Ellison’s expertise among their ranks, the next few matches promise sharp competition and a taste of global archery’s bright future.
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