Paralympic stars return to para archery’s traditional venue in Czechia
The world’s best para archers are set to gather in Nove Mesto this week for the second stage of the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series.
Launched in 2026, the Hyundai World Archery Para Series is an international ranking circuit designed to increase the exposure of para archery and provide more high-level competition opportunities for athletes.
Following a successful inaugural event in Bangkok in April, the circuit heads to one of para archery’s traditional venues, with Nove Mesto returning to the international calendar just 10 months after hosting the second leg of the European Para Archery Cup in August 2025.
A total of 177 para archers from 30 countries will compete in individual and team events across the recurve, compound, W1 and visually impaired categories.
The depth of the competition is reflected by the presence of four world number ones – Elisabetta Mijno, Toman Kumar, Sheetal Devi and Jason Tabansky – all heading to Czechia.
India, which topped the medals table in Bangkok with seven gold medals, arrives with the largest delegation, fielding 16 athletes across all four categories. Sheetal Devi, the World Archery para archer of 2025, and reigning Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh leading the team.
Italy, Korea, Brazil, the United States and host Czechia have also named strong squads, setting the stage for an exciting week of competition.
With less than four months remaining until the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, the event also provides an important opportunity for Asia’s leading para archers to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the continent’s biggest para sport event.
Key information
What’s happening? The second stage of the Hyundai World Archery Para Series from 30 June to 4 July in Nove Mesto, Czechia.
What’s at stake? World ranking points.
Who’s competing? 177 para archers from 30 nations.
What’s the story? Ten months after hosting the second leg of the European Para Archery Cup, Nove Mesto welcomes the world’s best para archers once again, this time as part of the newly launched Hyundai World Archery Para Series. It will also be interesting to see whether former champions at the venue can replicate their success under the new competition format.
Schedule
- Tuesday 30 June: Recurve, compound and W1 qualifying
- Wednesday 1 July: Eliminations
- Thursday 2 July: Eliminations
- Friday 3 July: VI qualifying and team finals
- Saturday 4 July: Individual finals
How to watch
Watch live footage of the finals on Saturday 4 July with a subscription to archery+.
Live scores will be available on the World Archery website, with coverage across World Archery’s digital platforms throughout the competition.
Who’s competing?
These are the top-ranked archers competing in Nove Mesto:
- Recurve men: Stefano Travisani, Italy (world rank: 2)
- Recurve women: Elisabetta Mijno, Italy (world rank: 1)
- Compound men: Toman Kumar, India (world rank: 1)
- Compound women: Sheetal Devi, India (world rank: 1)
- W1 men: Jason Tabansky, USA (world rank: 1)
- W1 women: Kim Ok Geum, Korea (world rank: 3)
- VI1: Christos Misos, Cyprus (world rank: 1)
Competition at the Nove Mesto 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series begins with qualifying on Tuesday.
