Turkish youngster Defne Cakmak stunned the field on Tuesday as she topped compound women’s qualifying at the 2025 Conquest Cup.
At just 18 years old, Istanbul marks Cakmak’s first appearance on an international shooting line of any kind. Her only previous experience at the senior world level came in the COVID-era Indoor Archery World Series Online – but there was no sense of a learning curve in the 72-arrow qualification round.
She posted 690 points, including 16 Xs – an impressive score, especially considering the warm breezes that challenged many archers in the city.
While Türkiye’s national federation selected a 19-strong contingent for this annual world ranking event, Cakmak was not part of the official team. She is instead representing Demka Okçuluk Spor Kulübü, a club based in Istanbul.
Her 690 outscored several of Türkiye’s top compound women, including recently crowned Spring Arrows gold medallist Hazal Burun (684), reigning Paralympic Games Champion Oznur Cure Girdi (688) and last year’s Conquest Cup bronze medallist Emine Rabia Oguz (687).
Not bad company to beat for a first-timer.
Cakmak’s 72-arrow performance may have turned heads, but the other categories largely followed expectations. Berkim Tumer and Mete Gazoz secured the top two seeds in recurve men – just as they did 12 months ago. Tumer shot 677, while Gazoz, a Paris 2024 Olympic team bronze medallist, posted 676.
Could we see a repeat showdown between the two in the Conquest Cup final?
World number two Mathias Fullerton ed compound men’s qualification with 708, fresh off his very recent appearance at the 2025 Veronica’s Cup. Meanwhile, AIN athlete Nurinisso Makhmudova topped the recurve women’s field with 660.
Competition at the Conquest Cup continues with eliminations. Finals take place on Thursday and are being streamed on archery+.
Top seeds: Conquest Cup
Full results are available on the event page.
- Recurve men: Berkim Tumer, Türkiye – 677
- Recurve women: Nurinisso Makhmudova, AIN – 660
- Compound men: Mathias Fullerton, Denmark – 708
- Compound women: Defne Cakmak, Türkiye – 690
