Temiño Mediel, Hansen and Usquiano move up Indoor World Series standings after Nimes

Over 1000 archers competed at the Nimes Archery Tournament this past weekend, but only four left the French city with the maximum 1000 Indoor World Series ranking points.

Those points have created clear separation at the top of the standings – a crucial advantage at this stage of the season. Nimes is one of only two events on the indoor circuit to award 1000 points, alongside the series finale at The Vegas Shoot in March.

Before then, there is one final opportunity to gain ground. The Merida event next month will award 500 points, offering a last chance for challengers to close the gap – or for leaders to strengthen their position heading into Vegas.

With that in mind, here’s what could change in Merida across each category.

Recurve men

The recurve men’s category remains the most unpredictable. Although reigning World Archery Champion Andres Temiño Mediel grabbed the full 1000 points in Nimes, he revealed afterwards that he will not be competing in Vegas this year – leaving the top spot vulnerable.

Only one athlete currently inside the top 10 of the standings is entered in Merida: USA’s Nicholas D’Amour. A win there would add 500 points to his total, potentially lifting him to 820 points and into the leading position among athletes heading to Vegas, above the overall favourites Marcus D’Almeida (second) and Brady Ellison (sixth). 

Mexico’s Matias Grande could also move into contention with victory on home soil.

*All points shown are Indoor Archery World Series totals.

Recurve women

Victoria Sebastian’s triumphs at the Taipei Archery Open and now Nimes mean she sits comfortably at the top of the table and is guaranteed to be number one heading into Vegas.

But keep an eye on Angela Ruiz. The Mexican was certainly not one of the favourites before Nimes – especially with it being her first appearance on the series this season – but she ended up on the podium with silver, losing 7-3 to Sebastian. Should the Pan American Indoor Champion be successful in Merida, that would further consolidate her position in second.

Top-ranked archers Marie Horackova (third), Lisa Barbelin and Elia Canales (joint fourth) are not competing in Mexico.

Compound men

Recurve may be lacking slightly in star names at Merida, but the big hitters are coming to town in compound men. The current leader Stephan Hansen is not attending the Mexican stop.

Mike Schloesser (second), Mathias Fullerton (third) and Ajay Scott (fourth) are all participating, and given their consistency at the top this season and prior, you would like to think one of them will win the 500 points and put themselves at the top. All three have at least one Indoor Series gold this season, and all could be number one from the 500 points.

Expect to see change at the top after 15 February.

Compound women

It is a golden opportunity for Ella Gibson. Like D’Amour in recurve men, she is the only top-10 athlete from her category shooting in Merida.

With in-form Alejandra Usquiano not entered, Gibson – along with world number one Becerra, who could move up to fourth should she win – is a big favourite to top the podium in Mexico. That could see the Brit level on points with Colombia’s Usquiano (1250), setting up a tantalising build-up to Vegas.