“It’s like a dream come true. Every athlete dreams of this – becoming a champion at events like the World Cup Final, Asian Games, or the Olympics, and waving the national tricolour.”
“That brings immense joy.”
The names that have held this coveted trophy in the recurve men category – Brady Ellison[who was eliminated earlier by Valladont], Kim Woojin, Marcus D’Almeida, Oh Jin Hyek – were or are not only technically excellent archers but ones that have displayed consistency at the highest level ever since the sport’s premier international circuit began in 2006, particularly in Ellison and Woojin’s cases.
This may be Dhiraj’s first trophy but you get the sense that we’ll be seeing him in future World Cup Finals and gold medal matches at any other major competition.
Already he has matured immensely since he got gold in Antalya in June when he could not stop shaking and was extremely emotional.
Here, the Indian still shouted and celebrated wildly with his coach Sonam Tshering Bhutia but was far more stoic afterwards in the television interview.
He knows how good he is.
“I want to dedicate this victory to the Archery Association of India and the Government of India,” he added. “Thanks to them, the financial struggles we faced have gradually eased. This achievement is also due to the coaching and support staff who stood as a backbone for us.”
“And to everyone in India, I just want to say one thing: if we can do it – if I can do it – then anyone can. This is just the beginning for Indian archery.”
The Saltillo 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final concludes this afternoon with the recurve women’s matches, streamed live on archery+.
