Best photos from Hermosillo 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final

What will be remembered of the 17th edition of the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final, which brought the international outdoor circuit to a close last weekend?

Probably the difficult conditions of intense heat and humidity that forced the organisers to postpone the matches until later in the evening compared to other years, putting the archers in an even harder situation of shooting under artificial lights.

But also the well-known enthusiasm of the Mexican public, who brought colour and atmosphere to the stands of the magnificent finals arena, located in the heart of Hermosillo, in front of the Palacio de Gobierno.

And a always, the event offered its share of unforgettable images and emotions.

World Archery photographer Dean Alberga has made his choice and presents his five favourite photos from the competition weekend.

5. The “boy” from Brazil

Sheer hard work, dedication and determination pays off.

Remember Marcus D’Almeida coming on the scene with the Brazilian team getting ready for the Rio Olympics. Even then he was showing real potential making it to the World Cup Final prior to Rio but never won anything major.

Just look fat him now. Tall, athletic and with the coolest moustache on the circuit standing on top of the podium.

Marcus wants it and has a plan. Expect more from him to come.

4. Keeping it cool

The about 43 degrees Celsius – even during the late afternoon – added extra dimension to this season’s finals.

The best thing to do was to keep a cool head, in every sense of the saying.

3. Crossing the desert

The Hermosillo organisers went through great lengths to dress up the field.

Looks like this year's theme was the gruelling heat of the Sonora desert.

Here, home archer Alejandra Valencia’s arrow crossing the specially designed mini-desert to hit the target on the other side.

2. And the crowd goes wild

Latin American stages and finals are always a must, turning into one great celebration of archery.

The region keeps providing colourful setting for the competition fields and enthusiastic engagement from full stands.

All archers are welcomed with the same enthusiasm as the local heroes.

1. Almost short of hands

It’s been a while since Sara Lopez won on the regular World Cup circuit – her last stage win dates back more than two years, in June 2021 in Paris – but in the Finals she is unstoppable, making it six in a row in Hermosillo.

The Colombian superstar always manages to get it together and do what she is known for, walking away with the big prize at the season’s grand finale.

A total record eight wins establishes her persona as the GOAT, no doubt.

The only question now is how long will it take before she runs out of hands to show the number.