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Zhang Tianxin takes W1 pole as mixed team gold finals set

23 septembre 2025

Gwangju, Korea

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Paralympic team gold medallist Zhang Tianxin of China led the men’s W1 qualification at the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Para Championships with 667, nine points clear of favourite Jason Tabansky of the USA.

“I feel the atmosphere here is rather good; it’s letting me play and compete quite well,” said the 27-year-old, twice an individual Asian Champion.

“I’m just going to give it my all and let things take their natural course, and do my utmost to go for the best results.”

The final Paralympic qualification to complete was the compound men, and once again a Chinese athlete took the top spot: 26-year-old Zhang Yicheng,, competing in only his second major international event.

Zhang shot 701, five points ahead of veteran Jere Forsberg of Finland – the individual Paralympic Champion from London 2012. Great Britain’s London 2012 was third on 696, just ahead of Kevin Polish.

The day’s early eliminations set up the mixed team finals in all three Paralympic classes, with all the major para archery nations in contention. (The VI qualification takes place on Friday morning).

The biggest shock came from Mongolia. Ranked fourth in the recurve mixed team following strong ranking round performances from Namjilmaa Munkhbaatar and Demberel Selengee, they defeated top seeds Wu Chunyan and Zhao Lixue of China 5-1 to reach the gold final – a result that sent shockwaves through the Chinese camp.

Mongolia will face Italy’s Elisabetta Mijno and Stefano Travisani for gold.

“We’ve been here a few times, so it’s nice to confirm our ability,” said Mijno. “Anything can happen; we’re just here to do our best.”

In compound, Türkiye will meet China in the gold medal match after defeating Great Britain and India in their respective semifinals.

China’s young stars, Zhang and Wang Liya, lead the W1 competition, and they will face Czech archers Sarka Pultar Musilova and David Drahoninsky – the latter having been eliminated in the first round of the individual competition by Paolo Tonon.

“It didn’t work out in the individuals, but I can make it happen with Sarka this weekend,” said Drahoninsky, now one of the most experienced and decorated archers in the peloton.

“What keeps me going? Archery is like a drug. I won a medal in Beijing and I got addicted,” he added.

The competition continues on Thursday with individual eliminations.