Expert predictions: Who will rule the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup?

The 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup season begins this week in Central Florida – the first stop on a tour that will also visit Shanghai, Antalya, Madrid and, eventually, Nanjing, where the circuit’s top performers will meet for the grand final in the autumn.

A new season means new storylines. Who’s on the rise? Who’s ready to break through? And who might finally grab the much-coveted trophy?

We’ve asked four experts to share their picks: 

• Karim Bashir, commentator
• John Stanley, journalist
• Vanessa Lee, social media editor and former archer
• Bernardo Oliveira, consultant, coach and Olympian

From world number ones to fresh faces, here’s who they’ll be watching in 2025.

Recurve Men: The battle for supremacy

This category brought four different names – a sign of just how competitive the field is right now.

John is staying loyal to Marcus D’Almeida, who had a difficult Olympics but remains one of the most complete recurve archers in the world. He believes it’s his time to shine, noting his impressive medal run and mental strength, predicting it’s time for him to turn bronze into gold.

Karim says Mete Gazoz has everything he needs to win again – and with new strong support from Red Bull, he’ll be hard to stop. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion has the potential to finally claim the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final title, after a couple of bronze medals.

Bernardo offers a more personal take, picking France’s Baptiste Addis. With his fluid shooting style and his talent and confidence boosted by an Olympic silver medal in the Paris 2024 team event, the 18-year-old has all the tools to win at the highest level. But Bernardo also notes D’Almeida’s ability to turn disappointment into motivation after a lacklustre performance in Paris, predicting a strong comeback this year. 

Vanessa sees Thomas Chirault, another French Olympian, as one to watch. After a strong 2024 season that included team silver at his home Games alongside Addis, he’s now in the world’s top five and gaining momentum, and his rising form and confidence make him a strong contender for the title.

Other mentions by our panel included: Kim Woojin, Brady Ellison and Lee Woo Seok.

Recurve Women: One favourite, two challengers

Karim and John both expect Lim Sihyeon will be extremely difficult to beat, after she again dominated the first phase of the Korean trials and shows no signs of resting on her laurels. The only 21-year-old had a phenomenal debut season in 2023 and confirmed it in the Olympic year with a triple gold at the Paris Games – the second archer to achieve this feat after An San. With her consistency and form, she looks set to remain on top.

Bernardo is excited to see more from Deepika Kumari. Back on the Indian team after becoming a mother, she had strong results in 2024 and looks ready to fight for medals again. Her work with her husband Atanu Das and former Indian international archer Rahul Banerjee adds more potential. 

Vanessa picks Casey Kaufhold, who has grown into one of the top names on the circuit and looks more confident with every season. A few years ago, she was the young archer thanking Brady Ellison for helping get her first international win, and now he’s the one paying tribute to her performance after they won the Olympic mixed team bronze together.

Karim also sees Kaufhold and Kumari as strong challengers in 2025.

Other mentions include: Alejandra Valencia and Lisa Barbelin.

Compound Men: Schloesser versus the challengers

Karim sticks with the top-ranked archer in the world, Mike Schloesser. He highlights the dominance of ‘Mister Perfect’, comparing him to legends like Novak Djokovic and Tiger Woods. Schloesser has been on top for more than a decade and still looks as strong as ever, making him the favourite.

John and Bernardo both name Mathias Fullerton as the most likely to challenge Schloesser’s dominance this year. Fullerton has been incredibly consistent, and 2025 might be the moment he takes over. His impressive indoor performance in Vegas, where he came close to the rare feat of retaining a title, and a champions attitude might make some serious damage outdoors this year.

Vanessa goes for Ojas Pravin Deotale, highlighting his composure and potential to turn the tables and shine in the outdoor season. Calm and confident, the Indian archer had a strong indoor season and is quietly becoming one of the most complete shooters on the line.

Our panel also talked about: defending Archery World Cup Final Champion James Lutz – who has stated his aim of retaining the title – and his compatriot Sawyer Sullivan.

Compound Women: Time for a breakthrough

All four experts mentioned different names, in arguably the most competitive field in archery – but the same theme came up again and again: 2025 could be the year for a breakthrough.

John and Vanessa are both backing Andrea Becerra to finally take a big win on the World Cup circuit. She’s had plenty of podium finishes, showcasing her determination and skill, but hasn’t yet stood on the top step. It’s time for that long-awaited victory.

Bernardo believes Ella Gibson will complete her collection this year by finally winning the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final – one of the last titles she’s missing in her collection of major achievements. Despite falling short in 2023 and 2024, Gibson’s multiple stage wins and her status as one of the sport’s biggest names make her a strong contender to claim the trophy this year.

Karim expects Sara Lopez to reclaim her form, benefiting from reduced pressure and a laser-like focus, but he also highlighted several others – including Gibson and Becerra – who could shake things up.

Other mentions include: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Meeri-Marita Paas, Elisa Roner and Alexis Ruiz.