USA and Turkey Dominate Recurve Team Finals at 2026 Archery World Cup in Puebla
The opening stage of the 2026 Archery World Cup in Puebla, Mexico, has established a clear hierarchy early in the season. Following the conclusion of the third day of competition—which wrapped up between Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10—the United States and Turkey have emerged as the primary forces in the recurve team events, booking their spots in the gold-medal matches.
The event in Puebla has served as a high-stakes proving ground for the world’s elite archers, with Day 3 focusing heavily on the elimination rounds for recurve teams, the compound mixed team, and the alignment of the individual recurve brackets for the round of 16.
Heavyweights Collide: Men’s Recurve Team Final
In the men’s recurve team category, the stage is set for a clash between two of the most formidable programs in the sport. Turkey, which has displayed an exceptionally clean run through the elimination phase without a single defeat, will face off against the United States in the final.
The matchup is highlighted by a confrontation between two global icons of the sport. The Turkish squad is led by Mete Gazoz, while the Americans rely on the veteran brilliance of Brady Ellison. For fans of the sport, this pairing represents a “dream final,” pitting Gazoz’s precision against Ellison’s storied consistency in a match that promises to be the centerpiece of the Puebla stage.
Turkey’s Double Threat and the Women’s Final
Turkey’s dominance extends beyond the men’s side. The Turkish women’s recurve team mirrored the success of their male counterparts, navigating the elimination brackets with a perfect record to reach the final. They will now compete for the gold medal against China.
Turkey’s ability to place both recurve trios in the gold-medal matches underscores a period of peak form for the nation’s archery program, positioning them as the team to beat heading into the remainder of the 2026 circuit.
Mixed Team and Compound Showdowns
While the recurve trios took center stage, the mixed team competitions also reached their final alignment. In the recurve mixed team event, the United States and China will battle for the top spot on the podium.
The compound division also saw its final pairings decided. The compound mixed team final will feature a European showdown between the Netherlands and Denmark, who both fought through the elimination rounds to secure their place in the gold-medal match.
Bronze Medal Results: Host Nation Jubilation
The consolation finals provided the first taste of podium success for the tournament. Mexico, competing on home soil, secured a bronze medal in the women’s recurve team event with a decisive 6-2 victory over Spain.
In the men’s recurve team category, China claimed the third-place spot. Their bronze medal was secured in a tense shoot-off against France, ending in a 6-2 result in favor of the Chinese team.
Puebla Stage: Final Matchups & Results
| Event | Finalists / Result |
|---|---|
| Men’s Recurve Team | USA vs. Turkey |
| Women’s Recurve Team | Turkey vs. China |
| Recurve Mixed Team | USA vs. China |
| Compound Mixed Team | Netherlands vs. Denmark |
| Women’s Recurve Bronze | Mexico (6-2 vs. Spain) |
| Men’s Recurve Bronze | China (6-2 vs. France) |
Strategic Absence: Italy’s Road to Antalya
Notably absent from the Mexican stage was the Italian national team. In a strategic move to prioritize long-term goals, Italy opted to skip the Puebla event. Reports indicate that the Italian squad is also expected to miss the second stop of the World Cup circuit in Shanghai, scheduled for May 5-10.
The decision stems from a focused preparation block for the European Championships, which will capture place in Antalya from May 19 to 24. The Antalya event is of critical importance as it serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 European Games.
What’s Next in Puebla
As the team finals loom, the focus now shifts back to the individual competitions. The recurve individual brackets have been finalized, with the athletes now set for the round of 16. These matches will determine who can translate team success into individual glory on the Mexican soil.
With the World Cup circuit just beginning, the results in Puebla provide an early indicator of the power dynamics for the 2026 season, specifically the enduring rivalry between the American and Turkish programs.
Stay tuned for the final results from Puebla and updates on the upcoming Shanghai stage. Do you think the USA or Turkey will sweep the recurve gold medals? Let us know in the comments below.
