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Korea denies Mexico third World Cup team gold of the year

7 June 2025

Antalya, Türkiye

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Korea ended Mexico’s perfect streak in the compound women’s team finals at the third stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya.

Andrea Becerra and Mariana Bernal were a part of the gold-winning sides at Central Florida and Shanghai – the prior two stages – with Dafne Quintero shooting in America whilst Adriana Castillo featured in China, the latter returning for the Antalya final.

Mexico’s bid for a third straight World Cup gold was halted by Korea, a nation more renowned for recurve dominance than compound. So Chaewon, Sim Sooin and Han Seungyeon fired nine arrows into the 11-ring, outscoring Mexico’s six to build an eight-point lead, 241-233, after the fourth and final end.

“It’s an honour to get the gold medal, and I can’t believe how long it’s been since we won those medals and we need to work better in the rest of the events this year,” said Chaewon, part of the Korean team that last medalled with bronze in Antalya 2018.

“Even though I made a mistake when I hit a nine, I was still able to get the score back and hit 11,” added world record holder Seungyeon, reflecting on how key the 11-ring was at Antalya Beach Park. “I believed in myself and never gave up.”

Korea’s recurve women made history in Paris last year, becoming the first team to claim ten consecutive Olympic gold medals in the event.

Their dominance is unquestioned, grabbing headlines globally – but Korea’s compound women? Less so.

While they have earned five bronze and silver medals at World Cups over the past seven years, gold has eluded them since the 2017 Salt Lake City victory, with 2019 Vegas Shoot champion Chaewon the last to stand atop the podium on the premier circuit.

Curtis Broadnax won mixed team gold at his first senior international competition outside the USA.

Asked if this win would spark greater hype for LA28, where compound mixed team debuts as an Olympic event, 22-year-old Sim Sooin tempered expectations.

“We have been practising for so long, so it’s a chance to show ourselves in LA, and we hope more competitions can be won before then as well.”

It was also a memorable day for Curtis Broadnax.

The 2017 World Youth Champion and Alexis Ruiz secured the compound mixed team gold for the USA with a 166-157 win over Germany.

It included a fantastic display by Broadnax, 25, who kept all eight arrows within the yellow, shooting four 10s and four 11s.

Antalya marked Broadnax’s first senior international competition outside the USA.

“I’m getting adjusted to the amount of travel I’m having to do,” said the 25-year-old. “It’s good to have experience prior to trying out for the team in LA28 on home soil.”

Denmark triumphed in the compound men’s team gold medal match, ruining the party for host nation Türkiye, in a tight contest 242-239, who also lost the mixed team bronze to Estonia.

Compound Saturday continues with the men’s and women’s individual final fours this afternoon, streaming live on archery+.