Mike Schloesser steered through wind to win his 10th Hyundai Archery World Cup stage gold in the compound men’s final at the Riverside Financial Plaza in Shanghai, the second stage of the 2025 season.
Schloesser, the world number one, was one point off a perfect score across five ends, in his semifinal against India’s Rishabh Yadav. He then mastered swirling gusts against Choi Yonghee in the gold medal match, shooting still an impressive 147, to the Korean’s 144.
“Not even necessarily winning, but shooting good is really fun to do,” said the four-time circuit champion. “Today were really tough conditions. There were a lot of gusts of wind pushing the arrows a lot. Sometimes you can make an awesome shot exactly where you want it, others drift.”
“I had two of those in my second match, and you’ve just got to accept them, keep on going and make good shots.“
Schloesser, known as ‘Mister Perfect’, often wears a smile on his face, carrying the weight of being the best compound men’s archer as if he were born with it, not letting it affect his emotions – externally at least.
However, today there was a moment Schloesser did wear his heart on his sleeve when discussing the imminent arrival of his and recurve archer Gaby Schloesser‘s baby, due very soon.
“I’m good for the moment, but I’m pretty sure the moment I call Gaby, I’ll definitely be shedding some tears,” Schloesser said, his voice breaking.
“Babe, I love you, and I’m really grateful for you being my supporting corner, and without you, this wouldn’t be possible at all,“ added a teary-eyed Schloesser when asked to give a message to his wife.
As today’s result booked him a ticket to the World Cup Final in October, the pressure of making Nanjing is no longer there, just at the perfect moment as the Schloessers prepare to start a new life as first-time parents.
Schloesser has been a familiar face on the podium since his first world championships win in 2013, but seeing Madhura Dhamangaonkar there is far rarer.
The 24-year-old Indian archer claimed her first international gold medal after coming back from a four-point deficit in the third end – where she shot a high 7 – to produce convincing 29s in the last two and defeat USA’s Carson Krahe, 139-138.
Dhamangaonkar also secured silver in the women’s team and bronze in the mixed team events, marking a standout day for India.
“I’ve improved a lot of things,“ the 24-year-old said of her progress since her last World Cup appearance in Medellin 2022. “I’ve been working on my mental strength and my shooting skills, that’s why [I’m here].“
She beat eventual bronze medallist Hazal Burun from Türkiye in her semifinal.
The bronze medal in the men's category went to Dhamangaonkar’s compatriot Yadav, who beat Korea’s Kim Jongho.
Competition in Shanghai concludes on Sunday with the recurve finals, which are streamed live on archery+.
Podiums: Shanghai 2025
Full results on the event page.
Compound men
- Mike Schloesser, Netherlands
- Choi Yonghee, Korea
- Rishabh Yadav, India
Compound women
- Madhura Dhamangaonkar, India
- Carson Krahe, USA
- Hazal Burun, Türkiye
Watch coverage from Shanghai with a subscription to archery+.
