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Spain triumphs over China in shoot-off to conclude Madrid classic

12 July 2026

Madrid, Spain

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Elia Canales and Andres Temino Mediel on the recurve mixed team top podium at Madrid 2026.

Elia Canales and Andres Temiño Mediel produced a performance they will never forget, winning recurve mixed team gold at the fourth stage of the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid after a dramatic shoot-off victory over China.

Roared on by a passionate home crowd at Complutense National Stadium, the reigning Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships mixed team gold medallists shot two perfect 10s in the shoot-off to edge Li Mengqi and Zhu Jingyi in one of the most memorable matches of the season.

The challenge could hardly have been greater.

Li and Zhu have both won individual Hyundai Archery World Cup stages this year, with Zhu claiming victories in Puebla and Antalya.

But Spain was determined to leave its home event with at least one gold medal.

Whether inspired by competing in front of family and friends or simply rising to the occasion once again, Canales and Temiño Mediel delivered when it mattered most.

“Well, it’s a really great feeling, isn’t it?” said Temiño Mediel after celebrating with teammates, family and supporters on the field of play. “Having everyone here cheering us on, my family, all my teammates, it was really exciting to be able to win at home.”

“We were already dreaming about it last year, and this year we’ve achieved it, so now it’s time to enjoy it.”

Canales admitted there had been moments of tension but said the support of the home crowd ultimately gave her confidence rather than adding pressure.

“The crowd is here, my family is here, my friends are here, it motivates me so much more,” she said.

“It’s true that there were tense moments when I thought I’d just get a perfect 10 and think, ‘What if I mess up?’ But then I said, ‘No, no, I trust my shot, I trust my teammate, I trust my work and everything I’ve done to be here.’”

“I just wanted to enjoy the moment, that’s all.”

Andres Temino Mediel aiming in the recurve mixed team gold medal match at Madrid 2026.

Even without the shoot-off, the contest would have ranked among the finest matches of the year.

Spain took the opening set 38-37 but failed to hit another 10 over the next two sets, with Canales even dropping a seven as China fought back to level the match at 3-3.

The deciding set was equally dramatic.

Canales opened with a nine before China responded with two Xs and a 10, only for Li to drift into the nine with the final arrow after encouragement from teammate Zhu.

That left Spain needing an X and a 10 to force a shoot-off.

They delivered.

Just as they had at the world championships in Gwangju last year, the Spaniards held their nerve under immense pressure to secure victory.

Canales said she had reminded herself that, regardless of the outcome, her family would still be proud, allowing her to enjoy the moment rather than fear it.

Temiño Mediel, meanwhile, said celebrations would be brief before attention turned to the Mediterranean Games in Taranto.

“We still have one competition left this year, so today we'll celebrate these days and then refocus a bit on our goal.”

Competition in Madrid concludes on Sunday afternoon with the recurve individual finals.