{"id":2854,"date":"2025-09-04T09:12:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T01:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/?p=2854"},"modified":"2025-09-04T09:12:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T01:12:17","slug":"five-archers-to-watch-at-the-gwangju-2025-world-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/five-archers-to-watch-at-the-gwangju-2025-world-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"Five archers to watch at the Gwangju 2025 World Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There are exactly 500 archers making their way to the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships \u2013 but only four will emerge as World Archery Champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s a slight drop from the 512 who competed in Berlin two years ago, perhaps explained by the fact the next Olympics is still three years away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, fans are in for a treat on Korea\u2019s south coast, with all four world number ones \u2013 in compound and recurve, men and women \u2013 among the entries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only major star missing is Yankton 2021 compound women\u2019s world champion Sara Lopez \u2013 though Colombia can still count on 2025 South American Championships winner Alejandra Usquiano to carry the torch in her absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are five archers who could make headlines in Gwangju.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worldarchery.sport\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_desktop\/public\/2025-09\/R3X_3277.jpg?itok=UtL1q7bM\" alt=\"Matias Grande celebrating at Madrid.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Matias Grande<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who are they? <\/strong>Recurve man from Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the story?\u00a0<\/strong>It has been Grande\u2019s best outdoor season yet. The 21-year-old won his first individual Hyundai Archery World Cup medals in 2025 \u2013 silver in Shanghai and then gold in Madrid. If you\u2019re only as good as your last event, then the Mexican might just be the grand(e) master of Gwangju.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think these days I want to do it (finals) in a different way,\u201d Grande said after his Madrid triumph. \u201cI think in all the scenarios, but I used to start shooting a little bit nervous, a little bit with anxiety. Today when I woke up, I said that it will be different. I didn\u2019t expect a result or a medal. I just want to be happy, to be enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He couldn\u2019t make the top-64 in Berlin two years ago, but after consecutively beating Olympic medallists Brady Ellison, Kim Je Deok and Baptiste Addis this season, he\u2019s definitely in the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the goal?&nbsp;<\/strong>To become Mexico\u2019s first World Archery Champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vital statistics:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Age: <\/strong>21<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World ranking:\u00a0<\/strong>5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best result:<\/strong> Winner at the fourth stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Instagram:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/_matiasgrande_\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@_matiasgrande_<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worldarchery.sport\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_desktop\/public\/2025-09\/R3X_0194.jpg?itok=JoP1b7-a\" alt=\"Nicolas Girard aiming.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Nicolas Girard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who are they? <\/strong>Compound man from France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the story? <\/strong>Indoors, few are better \u2013 Girard won the 2022 Indoor World Series Finals \u2013 but from 2022 to 2024 he struggled outdoors. That changed this year in Antalya, where as the 28th seed he toppled some of the world\u2019s best, including Rishabh Yadav and Michea Godano, to take gold. He followed it up with bronze in Madrid. Maybe, just maybe, Girard has finally found his rhythm at 50 metres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor once, it\u2019s pretty good,\u201d he said after his Antalya victory. \u201cI\u2019m happy, it\u2019s been a while now. I\u2019ve had some difficulties over the last few years, especially outdoors. I trained well indoors to be able to reach a decent enough level to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the goal?&nbsp;<\/strong>To continue his best outdoor season yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vital statistics:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Age: <\/strong>25<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World ranking:\u00a0<\/strong>3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best result: <\/strong>2022Indoor Archery World Series Champion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Instagram: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nicogirardarchery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@nicogirardarchery<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worldarchery.sport\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_desktop\/public\/2025-09\/250726_EAGP_PAP25_PRDR7751.jpg?itok=YAGG2PPl\" alt=\"Penny Healey aiming.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Penny Healey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who are they? <\/strong>Recurve woman from Great Britain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the story? <\/strong>A non-Korean recurve woman winning the World Archery Championships\u2026 in Korea? It might sound unlikely, but Healey has a knack for breaking expectations. She burst onto the scene in 2022 by winning the Indoor World Series at just 16, but 2023 and 2024 were \u201creally tough\u201d years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This season, however, Healey has bounced back with new confidence. She won her first outdoor individual gold in two years at the season opening in Central Florida, beating Olympian Alejandra Valencia in straight sets in the final, and later added gold at the European Grand Prix in Arnhem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve had a really tough time the past two years and through the [Paris 2024 Olympic] Games,\u201d Healey admitted. To come back like this is really good for me. Today, I just have so much more confidence than I did last year. I had more confidence that my shot would be strong, I\u2019ve got confidence in my equipment and I\u2019m really happy with the place I am in right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the goal?&nbsp;<\/strong>Shock Korea [and the world] in Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vital statistics:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Age: <\/strong>20<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World ranking:\u00a0<\/strong>3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best result: <\/strong>2022 Indoor Archery World Series Champion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Instagram: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/penny_healey_archer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@penny_healey_archer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worldarchery.sport\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_desktop\/public\/2025-09\/R3X_9946.jpg?itok=y-P8GAIy\" alt=\"Han Seungyeon celebrating with bronze in Madrid.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4.Han Seungyeon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who are they? <\/strong>Compound woman from Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the story?\u00a0<\/strong>Most expect Andrea Becerra and Ella Gibson to headline the compound women\u2019s gold medal match \u2013 but Korea\u2019s Han Seungyeon is the nation\u2019s best chance of breaking that prediction on home soil. Ranked ninth in the world, the 22-year-old nearly claimed her first World Cup gold in Antalya, losing only to Becerra in the final. Not bad for someone in just her second season on the international circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quiet and reserved off the line, her arrows tell a different story. Korea\u2019s individual compound medal hopes rest squarely on her shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the goal?&nbsp;<\/strong>To upset Becerra and Gibson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vital statistics:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Age: <\/strong>22<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World ranking:\u00a0<\/strong>9<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best result: <\/strong>Runner-up at the Antalya 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Instagram:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/_215.5\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">_215.5<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.worldarchery.sport\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_desktop\/public\/2025-09\/R3X_0888.jpg?itok=u8KDHQfs\" alt=\"An San aiming at Madrid.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. An San<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who are they? <\/strong>Recurve woman from Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the story? <\/strong>Back in 2023, An San was the archer to beat. She arrived in Berlin as reigning Olympic Champion from Tokyo 2020 and fresh from victory at the Tlaxcala 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final. Only Penny Healey and Bryony Pitman ranked above her at the time, but An\u2019s recent accolades made her the top dog going into Berlin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, things have changed. She missed the Korean team for Paris 2024 and slipped to world number 17, while teammates Lim Sihyeon and Kang Chaeyoung took the spotlight. Back on the team this year, she came close to breaking her gold drought but was edged by Lim in both Shanghai and Antalya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps flying under the radar will work in her favour this time. Determined as ever, An will want to remind everyone why she remains one of the sport\u2019s greats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the goal? <\/strong>To remind the world that she is still an Olympic Champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vital statistics:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Age: <\/strong>24<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World ranking:\u00a0<\/strong>17<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best result: <\/strong>Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Instagram:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ssaaaann__22\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ssaaaann__22<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are exactly 500 archers making their way to the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships \u2013 but<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2855,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,7],"tags":[68],"class_list":["post-2854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","category-newsbeat","tag-archery"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery.png",1140,641,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery-300x169.png",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery-768x432.png",640,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery-1024x576.png",640,360,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery.png",1140,641,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery.png",1140,641,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery-825x575.png",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery-590x410.png",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"info":["admin"]},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/category\/international\/\" rel=\"category tag\">International<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/category\/newsbeat\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Newsbeat<\/a>","tag_info":"Newsbeat","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/archery.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2854"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2854\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2856,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2854\/revisions\/2856"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}