Türkiye turns European championships disappointment into World Cup gold

Türkiye more than made up for its early exit at the European Outdoor Championship with victory over world number one Mexico at Antalya 2026, stage three of the Hyundai Archery World Cup.

Only two weeks ago, Hazal Burun, Emine Rabia Oguz and Defne Cakmak were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the continental championships after losing to Estonia in Antalya. The defeat was particularly disappointing as the event was also held in Antalya, the home city of Türkiye’s leading compound archers.

This time, however, competing at the Gloria Sports Arena rather than the Centennial Centre, the Turkish trio responded emphatically on home soil.

Türkiye first defeated world number two USA in Wednesday’s semifinals before overcoming reigning World Archery Championships gold medallist Mexico 233-231 in Saturday’s gold medal match.

“I am very happy to leave Antalya with a medal again,” said Burun, who arrived this week as the newly crowned European Champion. “Winning a medal here at the World Cup as a team was great for us, and I am very pleased.”

“There are many differences between training and competition. Yes, we do repetitions in training as if it were a competition, but being able to shoot together here with everyone gives it a much stronger impact.”

“We’ve become a great team. We’re doing our best because we’re working hard and putting in a lot of effort. It’s wonderful to see the results of that work.”

The 2026 outdoor season has been relentless for the Turkish squad.

Antalya marks their sixth international event in three months, not including national training camps between competitions.

That workload is paying dividends.

Türkiye’s compound women’s team has now won gold at the European Grand Prix Spring Arrow, the 14th Conquest Cup, stage two of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai and now Antalya – securing back-to-back World Cup gold medals in the process.

Even when Mexico’s Andrea Maya Becerra Arizaga, Adriana Castillo and Dafne Quintero erased the Turkish lead to level the match at 173-173 after three ends, the home team remained composed.

Türkiye closed the match with six arrows in the 10-ring to secure victory.

A short break will be very welcome before the last stop on archery's premier international circuit, Madrid, which takes place in just under a month's time.

“I can say that we’ll have a little break,” Burun said when asked how she would recover before stage four in Madrid. “During this time, I want to give myself some time mentally.”

“Of course I will continue training, but I need to relax mentally more, and I will do my best for that.”

Competition in Antalya continues on Saturday afternoon with the compound individual finals.

Podiums: Antalya 2026

Full results on the event page.

Compound men’s team

1. China (Liao Jiahao, Liu Jinyi, Shi Jingyu)
2. Denmark (Rasmus Bramsen, Martin Damsbo, Mathias Fullerton)
3. Mexico (Sebastian Garcia Flores, Rodrigo Gonzalez De Alba, Lot Máximo Méndez Ortiz)

Compound women’s team

1. Türkiye (Hazal Burun, Emine Rabia Oguz, Defne Cakmak)
2. Mexico (Andrea Maya Becerra Arizaga, Adriana Castillo, Dafne Quintero)
3. Germany (Katharina Raab, Marie Marquardt, Jennifer Walter)

Compound mixed team

1. Chinese Taipei (Chang Wei Cheng, Huang I -Jou)
2. Denmark (Mathias Fullerton, Tanja Gellenthien)
3. Mexico (Sebastian Garcia Flores, Andrea Maya Becerra Arizaga)

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