India’s Kushal Dalal claimed his first major compound indoor title at the 2025 GT Open in Strassen, Luxembourg, holding his nerve through a double shoot-off against experienced contender Stephan Hansen, formerly of Denmark and now representing the USA.
Both archers shot 148 in regulation, with Dalal dropping points in the fourth and fifth ends. The first shoot-off produced near-identical half-in 10s that were too close to call. In the second, Dalal delivered a solid 10 while Hansen faltered.
“I’m feeling great,” said Dalal. “This was my first indoor season, and I gained so much experience. I saw Nicolas [Girard] shooting a perfect 600.”
The 20-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakthrough outdoor season with two Asia Cup victories, admitted this was the first time he had navigated so many tight matches.
“I had four shoot-offs – the quarters, the semis and the finals as well!”
Mathias Fullerton edged Girard in a heavyweight bronze-medal shoot-off after both posted 150s. One of the day’s biggest surprises came earlier, when Mike Schloesser exited in the first round at the hands of Aljaz Matija Brenk of Slovenia.
In the compound women’s final, Ella Gibson defeated Elisa Roner in a big-name battle. Roner, a two-time Indoor World Series Champion, opened with three clean ends but dropped three late points, allowing Gibson to take control and close out the match.
