The 25-year-old archer capped a brilliant run over the last 12 months by winning the recurve men\u2019s title at the Saltillo 2026 Archery World Cup Final, joining Dola Banerjee as one of India\u2019s two champions on the circuit. Moreover, he became the first Indian male archer to win the World Cup Final. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt feels wonderful and makes me extremely happy and proud that my son has become the first Indian archer to win a gold medal at the World Championships,\u201d Sravan told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sravan said Dhiraj\u2019s achievement was the result of years of hard work and determination, recalling how his son began his sporting journey at a young age.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAs a parent, I feel extremely happy and proud that an Indian athlete who started his career in 2006 has achieved such a major target in 2026,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dhiraj had entered the World Cup Final for the third time after returning without a medal from his previous appearances in 2023 and 2024. His success in Mexico finally gave him his biggest individual title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sravan also highlighted his son\u2019s rise in the world rankings. Dhiraj, who had spent the last few years around the eighth, ninth or 10th positions, has now moved up to World No. 4.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHis biography also states, \u2018I want to become world number one.\u2019 For the past three or four years, he had consistently been ranked around World No. 8, 9 or 10. After winning this medal, he has now moved up to World No. 4,\u201d Sravan said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe is the first Indian archer to reach the fourth position in the world rankings, which is a record for India. We hope that he will achieve many more milestones in the future,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dhiraj\u2019s achievement also comes from a family with a strong connection to disciplined services. His father has been associated with the Indian Navy, and his grandfather served in the Border Roads Organisation, while his brother is a teacher.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His parents supported his sporting ambitions despite encouraging him to focus on academics. Dhiraj remained passionate about sports and would devote himself to rigorous practice after returning from school.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His mother Revathi also described the achievement as a deeply gratifying moment for the family, saying Dhiraj\u2019s World Cup Final gold was a historic milestone not only for him but also for Andhra Pradesh and the country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dhiraj\u2019s father has himself been closely associated with archery for nearly two decades. He continues to serve as a National Technical Official and has been involved with archery administration in Andhra Pradesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sravan said the family is now hoping Dhiraj can continue his winning run at the Asian Games. The archer has already travelled for the continental event after his success in Mexico.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe hope that he will achieve something significant there as well. He has already won a silver medal at the Asian Games, including a team silver medal, and he has many international medals to his credit,\u201d Sravan said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sravan said the family is now hoping Dhiraj can continue his winning run at the Asian Games. The archer has already travelled for the continental event after his success in Mexico.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAs a parent and as the father of a sportsperson, there is always hope that our children will continue to progress, achieve greater success and bring more laurels to the country while always keeping the Tricolour flying high. That hope will always remain,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n