Medellín, Colombia — A surge of precision and poise defined the latest leg of the Hyundai Archery World Cup, as athletes from across the globe converged on the city’s iconic Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex to compete in one of the season’s most anticipated international showdowns. Over four demanding days, competitors faced shifting winds, high stakes, and the quiet intensity that only elite archery can produce, delivering performances that underscored both the sport’s technical rigor and its growing global appeal.
The event, held from April 23 to April 26, 2025, marked the second stop on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit this year, following the opening leg in Shanghai and preceding stops in Antalya and Paris. Organized by World Archery, the tournament brought together more than 200 archers representing 45 nations, all vying for critical World Cup points and Olympic qualification momentum ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
On the recurve men’s side, South Korea’s Kim Woo-jin delivered a masterclass in consistency, clinching the individual gold with a flawless 6-0 victory in the final against Brazil’s Marcus D’Almeida. Kim, a two-time Olympic champion and former world No. 1, averaged 9.8 points per arrow throughout the elimination rounds, hitting the 10-ring in 42 of his 48 arrows during match play. His victory extended his World Cup medal count to 18, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s most decorated competitors.
“It’s not about perfection — it’s about repetition under pressure,” Kim said in a post-match interview verified by World Archery’s official broadcast feed. “You train for thousands of shots so that when the moment comes, your body knows what to do. Today, it did.”
In the recurve women’s division, Mexico’s Alejandra Valencia continued her resurgence with a commanding performance, defeating Germany’s Michelle Kroppen 6-2 in the final. Valencia, who captured bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, averaged 9.6 points per arrow and clinched the match with a perfect 10 in the fourth set. Her win marked her first individual World Cup gold since 2019 and positioned her as a top contender for Mexico’s Olympic quota in the coming years.
The compound events delivered equally compelling narratives. In the men’s compound category, Denmark’s Mathias Fullerton, just 20 years old, outdueled reigning world champion Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands in a tense 149-148 final. Fullerton, who had already won the Shanghai leg earlier in the season, became the first archer in World Cup history to win back-to-back individual compound titles in his first two appearances on the circuit. His victory was sealed with a final-arrow 10, overcoming Schloesser’s near-perfect 148.
“To beat Mike here, on this stage, means everything,” Fullerton said. “He’s been the benchmark for years. To edge him out — it’s a sign that the next generation is ready.”
Schloesser, a six-time World Cup finalists and multiple-time world champion, acknowledged the loss graciously. “Mathias shot incredibly well. He deserved it. I’ll be back.”
In the compound women’s event, Colombia’s Sara López captured the home crowd’s imagination with a silver-medal finish, falling just short in the final to India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam. López, a three-time World Cup Final champion and Pan American Games gold medalist, pushed Vennam to a 146-146 tie before losing in a single-arrow shoot-off, 9-8. The roar from the Colombian crowd as López approached the line underscored the deep connection between the nation and its archery heroes.
“To compete in front of my people, to hear them cheer — it gives you wings,” López said, her voice thick with emotion. “Silver isn’t gold, but today, I felt like I won something deeper.”
Team events also produced memorable outcomes. South Korea swept the recurve team titles, with both the men’s and women’s squads defeating China in their respective finals. The men’s team won 5-1, while the women’s edged out their opponents 5-4 in a tense decider. In compound team action, the United States claimed gold in both the men’s and women’s divisions, defeating India and Mexico respectively, highlighting the depth of American archery ahead of the upcoming Pan American Championships.
The tournament’s mixed team events further illustrated the sport’s evolving dynamics. Mexico took gold in the recurve mixed team event, defeating Indonesia 5-3, while Colombia’s Sánchez and López paired to win bronze in the compound mixed team category — a result celebrated nationwide as a testament to the country’s investment in youth development programs.
Attendance throughout the event remained strong, with World Archery reporting over 18,000 spectators across the four days — a 22% increase from the same stage of the 2024 circuit. The Atanasio Girardot complex, normally home to football and athletics, was transformed into a purpose-built archery venue with covered firing lines, digital scoring displays, and spectator terraces designed to enhance the viewing experience.
“We’ve worked hard to make archery not just a sport to watch, but an experience to feel,” said World Archery Secretary General Tom Dielen, who attended the finals in person. “Medellín showed us what’s possible when a city embraces the sport with passion and precision.”
The results from Medellín carry immediate implications for the World Cup standings. Kim Woo-jin’s victory extended his lead in the recurve men’s rankings, while Fullerton’s back-to-back wins positioned him at the summit of the compound men’s table. Valencia’s win propelled her into the top three in the recurve women’s race, and Vennam’s gold moved her into second place in the compound women’s standings, just behind López.
Looking ahead, the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit now shifts to Antalya, Turkey, for its third leg from May 21 to May 25, 2025. Athletes will have just under four weeks to refine their equipment, adjust to recent wind patterns, and prepare for another high-stakes round of competition. For many, the Medellín performance will serve as both a benchmark and a motivator — proof that excellence in archery is not just about hitting the center, but about doing so when it matters most.
As the tents are packed and the scores archived, one truth remains clear: the sport of archery continues to grow in depth, diversity, and drama. And on the fields of Medellín, a new chapter was written — one arrow at a time.
For fans eager to follow the next stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup, official results, athlete profiles, and live streaming schedules are available through World Archery’s verified platforms. Stay tuned for updates as the journey toward Los Angeles 2028 continues.
