Archers to watch at the World Archery Championships 2025 – compound
While the Republic of Korea attempts to maintain their iron grip on recurve archery, India will look to expand their compound dynasty from three world titles to five – a task made all the more complex by the absence of defending world champions Ojas Pravin Deotale (men individual compound) and Aditi Gopichand Swami (women’s individual compound).
With the weight of the South Asian nation on their shoulders, world No. 3 Jyothi Surekha Vennam and 2025 FISU Summer University Games runner-up Parneet Kaur will look to defend their women’s team title alongside teenager Prithika Pradeep, while Rishabh Yadav, Aman Saini and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge attempt to chart new territory in the men’s team event.
All six archers will need to be wary of the Republic of Korea team, however, as the host nation looks to make a splash in both disciplines, with double World Cup medallist and world No. 9 Han Seungyeon leading the charge in the women’s competition.
Of course, the big favourite there will be world No. 1 Andrea Becerra of Mexico, who recently claimed gold in the women’s individual compound event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China.
Looking to maintain her recent string of victories, she’ll aim to top the podium once more, with Great Britain’s former world No. 1 Ella Gibson the best positioned to upset her potential coronation.
In the men’s competition, the Netherlands’ Mike Schloesser will almost certainly be the man to watch. Not only did he win two World Cups this season, he also added an individual title at The World Games 2025 to his long list of career accolades.
Seeking to extend his winning streak in Gwangju, Schloesser will hope to best the likes of world No. 2 Mathias Fullerton and indoor marksmen Nicolas Girard – who’s made waves on the outdoor circuit this season, snagging a World Cup win in Antalya, Turkey.