Five archers to watch at the Gwangju 2025 World Championships

There are exactly 500 archers making their way to the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships – but only four will emerge as World Archery Champions.

That’s 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.

Still, fans are in for a treat on Korea’s south coast, with all four world number ones – in compound and recurve, men and women – among the entries.

The only major star missing is Yankton 2021 compound women’s world champion Sara Lopez – though Colombia can still count on 2025 South American Championships winner Alejandra Usquiano to carry the torch in her absence.

Here are five archers who could make headlines in Gwangju.

1. Matias Grande

Who are they? Recurve man from Mexico.

What’s the story? It has been Grande’s best outdoor season yet. The 21-year-old won his first individual Hyundai Archery World Cup medals in 2025 – silver in Shanghai and then gold in Madrid. If you’re only as good as your last event, then the Mexican might just be the grand(e) master of Gwangju.

“I think these days I want to do it (finals) in a different way,” Grande said after his Madrid triumph. “I 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’t expect a result or a medal. I just want to be happy, to be enjoy it.”

He couldn’t 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’s definitely in the mix.

What’s the goal? To become Mexico’s first World Archery Champion.

Vital statistics:

• Age: 21
• World ranking: 5
• Best result: Winner at the fourth stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid.
• Instagram: @_matiasgrande_

2. Nicolas Girard

Who are they? Compound man from France.

What’s the story? Indoors, few are better – Girard won the 2022 Indoor World Series Finals – 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’s 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.

“For once, it’s pretty good,” he said after his Antalya victory. “I’m happy, it’s been a while now. I’ve 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.”

What’s the goal? To continue his best outdoor season yet.

Vital statistics:

• Age: 25
• World ranking: 3
• Best result: 2022 Indoor Archery World Series Champion.
• Instagram: @nicogirardarchery

3. Penny Healey

Who are they? Recurve woman from Great Britain.

What’s the story? A non-Korean recurve woman winning the World Archery Championships… 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 “really tough” years.

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.

“I’ve had a really tough time the past two years and through the [Paris 2024 Olympic] Games,” 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’ve got confidence in my equipment and I’m really happy with the place I am in right now.”

What’s the goal? Shock Korea [and the world] in Korea.

Vital statistics:

• Age: 20
• World ranking: 3
• Best result: 2022 Indoor Archery World Series Champion.
• Instagram: @penny_healey_archer

5. An San

Who are they? Recurve woman from Korea.

What’s the story? 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’s recent accolades made her the top dog going into Berlin.

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.

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’s greats.

What’s the goal? To remind the world that she is still an Olympic Champion.

Vital statistics:

• Age: 24
• World ranking: 17
• Best result: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion.
• Instagram: ssaaaann__22