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Great Britain wins first compound mixed team title in six years at Shanghai 2025

10 May 2025

Shanghai, China

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Great Britain ended their week on a high at the second stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai, winning a first compound mixed team stage final in six years.

A full squad of British compounders travelled to China, but all were eliminated early in the individual competitions, as were the men’s and women’s teams. But Britain will not leave China empty-handed after Ajay Scott and Ella Gibson edged Türkiye by three points, 156-153 at the Riverside Financial Plaza in Pudong on Saturday.

“When I was on the podium, the flag was there and the anthem was playing, all I was thinking was ‘That’s where it should be’,” said world number one Gibson. “Our flag should be in the middle, at the top of the podium, and it’s so nice to put it back there again. I can’t wait to see it there again.”

Earlier in the week, Gibson, Scott and their teammates had shown visible signs of frustration, disappointed that their long trip from home might yield nothing. Their success in eliminations on Friday morning brought redemption – and loud celebrations from the British contingent watching from behind the line.

Britain last won a mixed team stage title in Berlin 2019. Back then, Gibson was still in the infancy of her international career, travelling archery’s premier international circuit for the first time.

“It feels like only a couple of years ago,” the 24-year-old added. “At the time, I didn't even realise how big of a deal it was. I was just muddling my way through the week, and of course it was great to win, but I was just kind of there.”

Six years in sport is a long time in sport. Since that win, Gibson has grown into one of the world’s best compound women, that triumph being just one of many.

Second consecutive Archery World Cup stage for Mexican compound women in Shanghai.

Now teamed with 21-year-old archer Scott rather than James Mason, she may have finally found the mixed team partner she’s been looking for – just in time for LA28, where compound mixed team makes its Olympic debut.

“I think it means so much more when so much work goes into it, especially with our Olympic news,” said Gibson. “Doing well this week is so important for us and our federation, for British sports, to really show that we’re really competitive and they should get behind us, because we can go win a medal there.”

While Britain’s win ended a six-year drought, Mexico’s return to the top of the compound women’s team podium came after just one month.

The team of Andrea Becerra, Mariana Bernal and Adriana Castillo dominated India in the final, winning 234–222 and dropping only one eight across four ends. By contrast, the Indian trio of Madhura Dhamangaonkar, Chikitha Taniparthi and Jyothi Surekha Vennam recorded three wide shots into the eight-ring.

The win follows Mexico’s victory at the season opener in Central Florida.

“This one feels a little bit different because we’re a different team, and we managed to communicate so well,” said Mariana Bernal on the difference between the two stage wins. “We trusted our shots , and we’re so happy – especially against India. They are the best team in the world, so its shocking.”

India did take gold in the compound men’s team event, beating Mexico 232–228.

Competition in Shanghai continues with the compound individual finals in the afternoon, streamed live on archery+.