Crystal ball time: Experts predict who will triumph in Gwangju

The Hyundai World Archery Championships return to Korea for the first time since Ulsan in 2009, with Gwangju set to host the pinnacle of the 2025 season from 5-12 September.

With no Olympic quotas on the line this time (as was the case in Berlin 2023), the focus shifts entirely to individual world titles – and the prestige of competing on home soil.

Korea’s recurve stars will shoot in familiar surroundings, while compound archers look to cement their dominance in a rapidly evolving discipline and ahead of LA28, where the division will make its debut. Surprises, upsets and breakthroughs are all but guaranteed.

To provide insight, we asked five of World Archery’s most experienced voices to predict the winners in each of the four individual events:

• Dean Alberga – photographer
• Karim Bashir – commentator
• Vanessa Lee – social media editor and former archer
• Bernardo Oliveira – consultant, coach and Olympian
• John Stanley – journalist

Their choices are based on form, instinct and years of watching the sport at the highest level. They don’t always agree – and they’re rarely right – but their insight offers a snapshot of who to watch when the competition begins.

Recurve men: Rising stars, proven champions

The experts are divided. Korea’s proven champions remain the safe bet, but Europe’s new generation – led by Baptiste Addis and Matias Grande – has been fearless this season.

Bernardo and Dean highlight Addis’s consistency, Olympic team medal and three final-four finishes in four Hyundai Archery World Cup stages in 2025. A rising star capable of shocking the top contenders.

“When I first saw him shoot, a few years ago, I was really impressed,” Bernardo says of Addis. “He has certainly lived up to the expectations. [His performance] is absolutely remarkable.”

“He is a rising star with great potential,” adds Dean. “His boldness and talent on the field are reminiscent of archers like Brady Ellison and Marcus D’Almeida. With his skills, he could pull off an upset at any moment. Why not this season?”

John notes Grande’s ability to take down top Korean archers and his comfort on the podium this season.

“Lovely performance in Madrid taking a big Korean scalp, and he’s got used to the top step of the podium this year. Entirely possible he could go all the way,” says John.

Karim sees Lee Woo Seok ready to emerge from the shadows, backed by strong performances in recent President’s Cup and Korean Challenge events.

But Vanessa believes Olympic Champion Kim Woojin remains a step ahead, combining experience, mental strength and effortless composure.

“This is a wide-open field, but the chance to claim a fourth world title – on home soil, no less – sets the stage for another defining chapter in his career," says Vanessa.

Favourite: Kim Woojin

Recurve women: Korea leads a competitive field

No clear favourite here. Kang Chaeyoung earns two votes, but the panel’s picks range from young stars to seasoned campaigners – proof of just how wide open this competition feels.

Karim thinks Kang appears more relaxed than ever, improving her shooting and fueling her determination to make amends for a disappointing 2024. John recalls her dominant performance at the latest Hyundai Archery World Cup stage, noting her slightly more aggressive and mature edge.

“[She] dominated Madrid to the point where her old nickname of ‘The Destroyer’ cropped up again, and deservedly so,” John says. 

Lim Sihyeon is another top contender from Korea. Bernardo sees her as extremely difficult to beat. Although relatively new to the international stage, Lim has quickly made her mark, winning almost everything since her 2023 debut, including the Olympic title in Paris, with only the world title remaining.

“On home soil, I believe she’s got everything to tick that one off the list,” Bernardo says.

Vanessa highlights Penny Healey, whose breakthrough performance in Florida has shown she is ready to challenge the established order. The British archer combines playful energy with razor-sharp focus, making her unpredictable and dangerous.

“She’s the kind of archer who can flip the script on any given day,” says Vanessa of the 20-year-old.

Dean points to Deepika Kumari, describing her as a seasoned pro with renewed determination. Despite narrowly missing out on top titles in the past, Dean thinks this could be her moment.

“I think her time is now,” he says.

Favourite: Lim Sihyeon

Compound men: Schloesser in command

Mike Schloesser is the clear favourite, earning four of five expert votes. His combination of skill, experience and recent form makes him difficult to beat. Only Mathias Fullerton earns a nod as a possible spoiler.

Vanessa praises Schloesser’s unwavering focus, pointing out that despite sleepless nights and added responsibilities, he continues to perform at the highest level.

“‘Mister Perfect’ keeps proving why he’s the standard,” she says. “Even while navigating new fatherhood and the challenges of sleep deprivation, his results haven’t wavered. If anyone can summon the focus to add another world crown, it’s Mike.”

Bernardo highlights the shift in mindset fatherhood has brought. With a more detached, relaxed attitude towards shooting, Schloesser’s skill and relentless precision have only strengthened.

“It takes more than ever before to beat him,” Bernardo notes.

Dean echoes the admiration, describing Schloesser as a living legend whose technical prowess speaks for itself. Karim agrees, saying fatherhood seems to suit him, reducing pressure and giving new meaning to his achievements.

“He seems to relish his shooting achievements now with a deeper meaning,” Karim observes.

Fullerton is the panel’s lone alternative. John points to his impressive performance in the mixed team event in Chengdu, where his maturity and composure stood out.

“If he can keep his head on like he did in Florida, he can challenge Mikey and whoever else is stepping up,” John says. “It could be his time.”

Favourite: Mike Schloesser

Compound women: Becerra at the top

Nearly unanimous. Andrea Becerra has dominated 2025, and four of five experts believe she will add the world title to her résumé. Ella Gibson stands as the lone alternative.

With wins in Florida, Antalya and Chengdu, plus her world number one ranking, the Mexican has found her rhythm at the very top. Vanessa notes that claiming the crown in Gwangju would be the perfect cap on her stellar season.

“A world title here wouldn’t just be another win – it would be the exclamation point on her best season yet,” she says.

Bernardo agrees, highlighting Becerra’s momentum and resilience. Even when she drops points or makes mistakes, she has the ability to recover and stay on top.

“At times it feels everything is working in her favour. Becerra’s momentum is huge right now,” Bernardo says.

Karim also emphasises her dominance this season, firmly establishing her as a contender in a highly competitive discipline. Dean echoes the praise, pointing to her consistency across both indoor and outdoor competitions.

“Andrea is the one to watch. She’s been on fire this year. Her ability to stay focused and shoot consistently throughout her matches has earned her some impressive comeback wins,” he notes.

John offers a slightly different perspective, picking Gibson as a potential challenger. John notes that the British archer was incredible in Madrid and there’s little to stop her – except perhaps Becerra, or even herself.

“She hasn’t won everything yet, this is the really glaring trophy that she simply has to take. Watch out,” John says.

Favourite: Andrea Becerra

The experts don’t all agree, but Andrea Becerra and Mike Schloesser stand out as clear favourites in compound. Recurve remains far more unpredictable, with contenders spread across Korea, Europe and India.

That mix of dominance and uncertainty is exactly what makes the Hyundai World Archery Championships so compelling. One thing is certain: history will be written in Gwangju.

The 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships take place from 5-12 September, with the individual finals closing the event on 11-12 September.

Live scores will be available on the World Archery website, and coverage will run across World Archery’s digital platforms throughout the competition.

You can watch live streaming from Gwangju with a subscription to archery+.