The Archery Premier League (APL) Season 2 is set to open in Hyderabad with a star-studded international cast, as five of the world's most decorated archers prepare to compete in the league's signature 15-second rapid-fire format. Olympic champions, former world No.1s, and World Cup winners will line up alongside India's top talent in what promises to be the most competitive edition of the league yet.

International Stars and Their Teams

Turkey's Mete Gazoz, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics archery champion and the first Turk to claim Olympic gold in the discipline, will return to the league with defending champions Rajputana Royals. The 27-year-old added a World Championship title in 2023 to his resume and has previously reached the summit of the world rankings, making him one of the most high-profile names in this season's competition.

Brazilian recurve star Marcus D'Almeida joins the Chola Chiefs. Widely regarded as Brazil's finest recurve archer, D'Almeida became the first Brazilian to reach world No.1 in the discipline in February 2023. A three-time Olympian and three-time World Championships medallist — collecting silver in 2021 and 2025 and bronze in 2023 — he also won the World Cup Final in Hermosillo in 2023 and was named World Archery's Best Archer of 2023.

The Mighty Marathas will field Dutch compound archery icon Mike Schloesser, nicknamed 'Mister Perfect'. Schloesser became the first man to shoot a perfect 600 in compound archery and is a former world No.1 and World Champion. A multiple World Cup Final winner, Schloesser is renowned for his precision and consistency and will compete alongside India's Dhiraj Bommadevara.

Rajputana Royals will also feature Britain's Ella Gibson, the current World No.1 in women's compound archery. Gibson has amassed multiple World Cup stage gold medals and a World Cup Final title, and notably holds the world record for the 15-arrow match — a format closely aligned with the APL's own structure. Her aggressive, rapid shooting style is considered particularly well-suited to the league's time-pressure format.

Completing the international quintet is Mexican recurve veteran Alejandra Valencia, who will compete for the Mighty Marathas. A three-time Olympian, Valencia is a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, having claimed mixed team bronze at Tokyo 2020 and women's team bronze at Paris 2024. She also holds a World Championships silver medal, bringing a depth of big-stage experience rare even by international archery standards.

The APL Format and Why It Matters

The APL's defining feature — a strict 15-second execution window per shot — tests not merely precision but composure and split-second decision-making. For athletes accustomed to international competitions where delivery windows are longer, adapting to this format presents a genuine challenge. Notably, Gibson's existing world record in the 15-arrow match suggests she may already have a structural edge in this regard.

The league also provides a rare platform where international archery stars compete directly alongside India's leading recurve and compound archers in a franchise format, elevating the sport's domestic visibility.

Defending Champions and Title Race

With Mete Gazoz and Ella Gibson both returning in Rajputana Royals colours, the defending champions enter Season 2 with significant firepower. However, the depth of international talent spread across rival franchises — particularly the Chola Chiefs with D'Almeida and the Mighty Marathas with Schloesser and Valencia — means the title race is likely to be closely contested.

What to Watch

Beyond individual performances, the tournament will offer a window into how elite international archers adapt to franchise-format pressure — a format growing in prominence as archery seeks broader sporting audiences. With APL Season 2 getting underway in Hyderabad, all eyes will be on whether the league can build further on its debut season's momentum.