Weather, emotion and triumph: Five stories that capture the heart of Gwangju 2025

Three weeks. Thousands of frames. Countless stories.

The 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships and World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju weren’t just about medals – they were about extreme weather, courage, focus, raw emotion and unforgettable performances.

Narrowing it all down wasn’t easy, but here are five moments that left a mark on me – the kind that remind me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place.

World Archery photographer Dean Alberga has selected his five favourite images from the two competition weeks.

5. Stefano’s roar

All week long, during the para world championships, one archer caught my eye – Stefano Travisani.

The Italian archer’s intensity, determination and belief were unwavering, even when the odds seemed stacked against him.

When victory finally came, his roar echoed across Gwangju – and somehow, you can still hear it when you look at the photo.

4. What just happened?

In one of the most gripping matches of the para world championships, Elisabetta Mijno delivered a perfect 10 with her final arrow in the recurve mixed team event against Mongolia – forcing her opponent Selengee Demberel to do the same to stay alive. And she did.

The look on Elisabetta’s face said it all: pure respect and awe.

Mongolia went on to win the shoot-off and later on the mixed team gold, but this exchange captured the very essence of high-level archery – precision, pressure and mutual admiration.

3. Andres’ breakthrough

For those following the circuit closely, this victory wasn’t exactly a surprise.

With consistent top-10 finishes throughout the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup season – and a win in Shanghai last year – Andres Temiño Mediel was always a name to watch.

After clinching mixed team gold alongside Elia Canales, the Spaniard capped his incredible week by claiming the individual title, leaving Gwangju as a double world championship gold medallist.

2. Kang “The Destroyer” Chaeyoung

Already a legend in her own right, the veteran of Korea’s world team finally captured her long-awaited individual world title.

After taking silver in ’s-Hertogenbosch in 2019, Kang Chaeyoung triumphed on home soil, sealing her legacy with another glittering achievement in an already extraordinary career.

1. Weathering the storm

This season has been one of extremes – from blistering heat and heavy humidity to relentless downpours – and Gwangju was no exception.

Despite the challenging conditions (and a few soggy shoes), the archers remained unfazed, their focus unshaken.

It was a powerful reminder of the resilience and spirit that define this sport.