Spain Stuns Archery World: Canales and Temiño Capture Gold at Gwangju 2025 World Championships

By Archy McArcherson, Archysports.com

September 10, 2025

In a stunning upset that’s sending shockwaves through the archery community, Spain’s Elia Canales and Andrés Temiño have claimed gold in the mixed team recurve event at the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea [[1]]. This historic victory marks a watershed moment for Spanish archery, a nation not typically considered a powerhouse in the sport.

archery, a discipline as old as civilization itself, has seen countless champions rise and fall. From its ancient roots as a hunting and warfare tool to its modern incarnation as a precision sport, archery continues to captivate audiences worldwide [[3]]. The World Archery Championships, a series of competitions organized by the World Archery Federation, represents the pinnacle of achievement in the sport [[3]].

Canales and Temiño’s journey to gold was nothing short of remarkable. They faced stiff competition, including a final showdown against the reigning archery superpower, South Korea. Think of it as a David vs. Goliath story, but with bows and arrows rather of slingshots. The Spanish duo, however, remained unfazed, displaying nerves of steel and pinpoint accuracy.

Their path to the final was paved with remarkable victories. In the qualifying round, Canales and temiño set a new Spanish record with 1,364 points. They then proceeded to dominate their opponents, defeating the Netherlands (6-0), Mexico (5-3), and Japan (5-1) en route to the gold medal match. The final score against Korea was 6-2 [[2]].

For those unfamiliar with the scoring system, in the mixed team event, 16 arrows are shot in four series of four, with each archer shooting two arrows per series. Points are awarded based on where the arrow lands on the target, ranging from 1 to 10 points. Precision and consistency are key.

To fully appreciate the magnitude of canales and Temiño’s achievement, consider the context. South Korea is a global archery juggernaut. At the Paris Games, they swept all five gold medals in archery. Their archers, like An San and Kim Woojin, are legends in the sport, boasting a combined eight Olympic gold medals and 14 world medals. Facing such formidable opponents, Canales and Temiño demonstrated remarkable composure and skill, said archery analyst Brenda Arroway.

Canales, 24, and Temiño, 21, are rising stars in the archery world. While they didn’t compete together in the last Olympics (Canales finished sixth with Pablo Acha), they have already achieved success on the world Cup circuit, including a bronze medal in South Korea and a silver medal in Shanghai. Their sixth-place finish in Madrid further solidified their potential.

This victory raises several questions for U.S. archery fans. Can this Spanish triumph inspire a new generation of American archers? What can the U.S. learn from spain’s training methods and strategies? And how will this result impact the competitive landscape leading up to the next Olympic Games?

The win by Canales and Temiño is not just a victory for Spain; it’s a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. It’s a reminder that even in a sport dominated by a few nations, underdogs can rise to the top and rewrite history. This is a story that will resonate with sports enthusiasts around the globe, and one that will undoubtedly inspire countless aspiring archers to pick up a bow and aim for gold.