Sara López and Pablo Gómez Advance in Archery World Cup Turkey—What It Means for Their Olympic Push
June 12, 2024 | Updated 14:30 UTC
Sara López and Pablo Gómez have advanced to the knockout rounds of the Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, marking a critical step in their campaigns to secure Olympic qualification spots for Paris 2024. The Spanish pair, ranked 12th and 15th in the world respectively, defeated their opponents in the ranking round to set up their first World Cup quarterfinal appearance of the year. Their progress comes as the tournament enters its final weekend, with the gold medal match scheduled for June 16.
Why This Matters: The Stakes for López and Gómez in the Olympic Cycle
For López and Gómez, this World Cup is more than a ranking event—it’s a litmus test for their Olympic ambitions. Spain currently holds just one quota spot in the individual recurve category for Paris, held by World Archery’s rankings leader, Miguel Alvariño. López and Gómez must compete not only against each other but also against archers from quota-rich nations like South Korea, the United States, and China to secure their place.
“The World Cup series is our best chance to climb the rankings before the qualification window closes in September,” López said in a post-competition interview with World Archery. “Every point counts, and today was about consistency under pressure.” Gómez added that the team’s strategy focused on minimizing errors in the final 10 arrows of each round, a tactic that paid off in their ranking-round victory.
“The World Cup series is our best chance to climb the rankings before the qualification window closes in September.”
How They Did It: Key Moments from the Ranking Round
López and Gómez faced tough opposition in the ranking round, where the top two from each group advance. López, seeded 12th, opened with a 6-0 win over Ukraine’s Anastasiia Bura, who had defeated López in their previous head-to-head at the 2023 World Championships. In the second round, López secured a 6-2 victory over Italy’s Tatiana Segala, finishing with a 133-131 aggregate score.
Gómez, meanwhile, navigated a tighter path to advancement. After a 6-4 win over Japan’s Takaharu Furukawa, Gómez faced a stern test in his second match against South Korea’s Im Dong-hyun, a two-time Olympic medalist. Gómez edged out the match 6-5, with both archers hitting 10s in the final end to force a tiebreaker. Gómez prevailed 10-9, securing his place in the quarterfinals.
| Archer | Opponent | Score | Ranking Round Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sara López | Anastasiia Bura (UKR) | 6-0 | 1st in Group A |
| Sara López | Tatiana Segala (ITA) | 6-2 (133-131) | Advanced to QF |
| Pablo Gómez | Takaharu Furukawa (JPN) | 6-4 | 1st in Group B |
| Pablo Gómez | Im Dong-hyun (KOR) | 6-5 (10-9 in tiebreaker) | Advanced to QF |
What Happens Next: Quarterfinal Matchups and Schedule
The quarterfinals begin Saturday, June 15, with López and Gómez set to compete in back-to-back sessions. López will face China’s Yang Jiaxin, the current world No. 1, in the women’s event. Gómez will take on South Korea’s Oh Jin-hyek, a two-time World Cup champion.
Match Schedule (All times local to Antalya, Turkey / UTC+3):
- June 15 (Quarterfinals):
- 10:00 – Sara López vs. Yang Jiaxin (Women’s)
- 14:30 – Pablo Gómez vs. Oh Jin-hyek (Men’s)
- June 16 (Semifinals & Finals):
- 10:00 – Women’s Semifinals
- 14:30 – Men’s Semifinals
- 16:00 – Gold Medal Matches (Women’s & Men’s)
Winning their quarterfinals will propel López and Gómez into the semifinals, where they’ll face the winners of today’s other matches. The gold medal match is scheduled for 16:00 UTC on Sunday, June 16, with live coverage available on World Archery TV.
Olympic Qualification: How World Cup Points Work
Points earned at this World Cup will contribute to the Olympic qualification rankings, which close on September 15, 2024. Each World Cup stage awards points based on final placement:
| Position | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| 1st | 80 |
| 2nd | 66 |
| 3rd | 58 |
| 4th | 52 |
| 5th | 48 |
| 6th | 44 |
| 7th | 40 |
| 8th | 36 |
López and Gómez currently sit outside the top 12 in the world rankings, meaning they must perform strongly in the remaining World Cup stages (Antalya, Paris, and Berlin) to challenge for Olympic spots. “We’re not just shooting for medals here—we’re shooting for Paris,” Gómez said. “Every tournament is a chance to move up, and we’re treating this like it’s the last one before qualification closes.”
Conditions in Antalya: Heat, Humidity, and How It Affects Performance
Antalya’s summer conditions have tested archers this week, with temperatures hovering around 32°C (90°F) and humidity levels above 60%. World Archery has adjusted the competition schedule to include midday breaks, but the heat remains a factor. “The humidity makes the arrows feel heavier, and the wind can shift unpredictably,” noted López. “We’ve been practicing with weighted arrows and focusing on a steady rhythm.”
Gómez added that the local venue, the Antalya Archery Center, has proven challenging due to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, which can create gusts. “The key is to stay calm and adjust your aim slightly if the wind picks up,” he said.
Key Questions: What Readers Are Asking
1. Can López or Gómez win gold in Antalya?
Unlikely, but not impossible. The field is stacked with Olympic medalists and world champions. López’s best World Cup finish is a bronze (2022), while Gómez has never medaled at this level. Their focus is on points, not podiums.
2. How does this affect Spain’s team event chances?
Spain’s mixed team (López + Gómez) is already qualified for Paris, but their individual performances will determine if they earn a second team spot. A strong showing here could boost their ranking for the team qualification window, which closes later in the year.
3. What’s next after Antalya?
The next World Cup stage is in Paris (July 18–21), followed by Berlin (August 1–4). Both López and Gómez have confirmed they’ll compete in all three events.
How to Follow: Live Updates and Where to Watch
For live results, scores, and interviews, follow:
- World Archery Live (official scores)
- World Archery TV (live streaming)
- @WorldArchery (X/Twitter) (real-time updates)
López and Gómez will hold a press conference after their quarterfinals (time/location TBD). ArchySport will provide full coverage of their progress.
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