Zhu Jingyi and Kang Chaeyoung set for rematch of worlds final in first round in Nanjing

The 16 quarterfinal matches across four disciplines were drawn this afternoon at Xixi Lawn for the 19th edition of the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Nanjing – but the most intriguing match-up is in recurve women.

Kang “The Destroyer” Chaeyoung will face Zhu Jingyi of China in a rematch of the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships final that Kang won just over a month ago.

As the top seed in the category – based on World Cup points accumulated this season and in the absence of Lim Sihyeon – Kang’s opponent was drawn last. But with number two seed Li Jiaman matched against Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Hsin-Tzu, the final name remaining was that of the recurve under-21 world record holder, Zhu Jingyi.

It promises to be a tight encounter – though both archers saw the funny side as they giggled together on stage under overcast skies in Nanjing.

“I was drawn against Kang Chaeyoung again, but for me, I think this is an even more exciting match,” said 19-year-old recurve archer Zhu. “It’s going to be a wonderful match.”

“I have great confidence that I can compete with her in another exciting and perfect match. I’m really looking forward to playing against her again.”

Paris 2024 team silver medallist Li Jiaman has been the standout archer on China’s recurve women’s team over the past two seasons and is the reigning Hyundai Archery World Cup Champion.

The host city also holds fond memories for Li. She won individual and mixed team gold at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games – and the legacy Olympic centre from that event now serves as the archers’ practice field.

Defeating the reigning World Archery Champion Kang and her compatriots for World Cup gold would be a huge statement from Zhu, who is competing in her first World Cup Final – and she’s ready for the challenge.

“I’m very excited, and, well, this excitement is also mixed with a bit of nervousness,” she said. “Even within this level of nervousness, I’ll try to perform at my best, play at my highest level and give it my all.”

Great Britain’s Ella Gibson has a very different outlook in the compound women’s category. Competing in her fourth consecutive World Cup Final, Gibson arrives in China straight from the inaugural Archery Premier League, which she and fellow World Cup finalist Mete Gazoz won with the Rajputana Royals.

Her quarterfinal match in Nanjing is against former recurver and host nation representative Zhang Xinyan. The Tlaxcala 2022 runner-up said the vibrant atmosphere in India provided perfect preparation to face a home favourite.

“It was completely different preparation,” said Gibson. “India was amazing and I had the absolute best time. The format was incredible.”

“We definitely got used to the noise and the loudness of the crowd – there were drums and yelling. It was a really cool experience.”

“I feel very prepared for any kind of noise or situation, which I think will be useful as I’m against the home nation’s pick here. It might get loud on stage – and maybe not for me – so that’ll be interesting.

“At least I’ve just had two weeks of a ton of noise, so that’s really useful,” she added.

Tomorrow marks the final day of practice for Gibson and the other compound archers before their matches on Saturday, while recurve finals will follow on Sunday.

You can watch the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final matches live with a subscription to archery+.