Gazoz beats Nespoli again to win Madrid 2026 World Cup gold
Mete Gazoz comfortably defeated Mauro Nespoli to win recurve men’s gold at the fourth and final stage of the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid.
The final offered a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games gold medal match, won by Gazoz 6-4, and another chapter in one of recurve archery’s most familiar rivalries.
Nespoli had also beaten the Türkiye archer in the semifinals of this year’s European Outdoor Championships, but Madrid belonged to Gazoz.
The reigning European Champion handled the occasionally gusting conditions at Complutense National Stadium superbly, opening with ends of 29 and 30 before building what looked set to become a commanding victory.
Nespoli’s third end of 10, 8, 7 left Gazoz needing only a six with his final arrow to secure gold. Although the Turkish archer was pulled well right by a late gust, the six was enough to complete a 6-0 victory.
“I wasn’t expecting that, but I had made a really good decision,” Gazoz laughed afterwards.
“Everything was great. Just as I was about to make the final shot, the wind hit really hard and pulled the bow to the right. It went for a six. I mean, whatever number of points I need to hit, I’ll hit that one.”
Gazoz said he had been eager to add another victory over Nespoli after their recent meetings.
“I remember the Olympics and also this year’s European Championships. Mauro won the [silver] medal and I lost against him in the semifinal.”
“This time I wanted to win this one, and this year I won one stage. We’ll see in the World Cup Final... I hope it’s the same final.”
He also paid tribute to the Italian veteran.
“I love shooting with him because he’s had a really good career. He won the Olympic team silver medal in [Beijing] 2008. I was nine years old then.”
“He’s a really big name, and I have so much respect for him because of his age and the fact he can still show such a good performance.”
Gazoz’s victory completed a steady rise through the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup season.
After taking bronze in Puebla and silver in Shanghai, he completed the set with gold in Madrid.
The progression was no coincidence.
Gazoz explained earlier in the week that Türkiye’s training programme is designed to have its athletes reach peak form later in the outdoor season, when the biggest international championships are traditionally held.
For Gazoz and his teammates this year, that focus now turns to the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games.
He credited the long-term planning led by technical director and national team head coach Yusuf Goktug Ergin for helping deliver another strong performance in Madrid.
“It’s actually everything, not just the technique or just physical strength – it’s everything. It’s about the process,” he said. “We’re always preparing for the last competition because the World Championships, Europeans, Olympics – every major competition – is in July or August.”
“This is my third individual gold medal, and all my gold medals have come around the same date as the last World Cup.”
Gazoz’s victory brought the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup stages to a close, with attention now turning to the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Saltillo, Mexico, this September.
Podiums: Madrid 2026
Full results on the event page.
Recurve men
- Mete Gazoz, Türkiye
- Mauro Nespoli, Italy
- Kim Je Deok, Korea
Recurve women
- Marie Horackova, Czechia
- Elif Gokkir, Türkiye
- Oh Yejin, Korea
Watch coverage from Madrid with a subscription to archery+.
