Lopez eyeing tenth title as season begins

In October 2024, Sara Lopez won an unprecedented ninth Hyundai World Cup Final in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

No-one has come close to challenging her place as the greatest compound women archer of all time. But of course, competing in 2025 puts another milestone in sight – a potential tenth title.

A confident Sara was clear about her chances of achieving it.

“Even if I don’t win this year or I don’t qualify this year, I’m not losing my sleep,” she said. “I’m pretty sure I’m winning a tenth one. I don’t know when, but I’m sure it’s going to happen.”

“Even if the competition is getting stronger and more difficult for me I’m still there. It can happen next year, maybe in two years, maybe in five years, but it’s going to happen. I’m sure about that.”

Lopez will be on the start line at the Central Florida event, but it may be a big ask in a busy year for the Colombian, with two other majors on the horizon and mixed team medals in the frame.

“Right now I can only be attending Florida. That means my main focus this year is the mixed team event in both the World Championships and the World Games.”

Lopez emphasised her focus on the World Games mixed team event in particular.

“I’m really excited to compete in the mixed team against India, I think it’s one of the strongest teams in the world right now.”

The Hyundai World Archery Championships in Gwangju also beckon.

“I want to do my best in every single event that I have the chance to go to. I really want to do well at the World Champs in Korea. Last year when I won the World Cup in Korea I felt a connection with the field because I saw a lot of bees around and bees have a really big meaning for me,” said Sara. 

The win in Yecheon was Lopez’s 12th career World Cup victory – although her first since 2021 – and she was visibly moved to tears on the podium.

“I really love shooting in Korea because you can really feel how important archery is and their venues are amazing, so I really want to go there and have a lot of fun.”

It’s a question Sara has been asked many times but once again: how long will she continue in the sport? 

“I started archery I was 13 and I made a list of accomplishments that I wanted to achieve, and it’s been a while since I already checked off all of those wishes and desires that I wanted. Just maybe this year, maybe next year, I will add more dreams to that list. But right now, my list of goals is complete,” she said. 

“The day I don’t feel happy shooting anymore, I will just leave. But right now I’m really happy and I really enjoy doing what I do, so I will be around for a couple more years, maybe 10 more years, who knows?”