Preview: GOAT to defend crown against youth at World Cup Final

Two years ago this article – Is there a new headline category on the world circuit? – was published.

And it’s point has never been more accurate than right now. The compound women’s line-up at the 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final is excellent. It’s got talent and balance, experience and youth, and it’s got quality… real quality.

The best ever, Sara Lopez, has won seven of the last eight circuit finals.

But for the first time since, probably, 2015, she isn’t the favourite… or the second favourite. There isn’t a favourite. The scores are so close at the top of the compound women’s competition at the moment that any of the archers heading to Hermosillo could easily take the trophy.

Absolute parity. It’s wonderful.

Up first, the compound women’s competition session at this year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup Final could easily end up overshadowing the rest.

Finals for the compound women in Hermosillo start at 16h00 (local) on Saturday 9 September. Stream on archery+.

Line-up

The top two seeds are listed in bold and will be placed at opposite ends of the bracket. A match draw will determine the positions of the other archers.

• Jyothi Surekha Vennam, India (stage winner)
• Ella Gibson, Great Britain (stage winner, world number one)
• Sara Lopez, Colombia (defending champion)
• Tanja Gellenthien, Denmark
• Aditi Swami, India (world champion)
• Cho Su A, Korea (stage winner)
• Liko Arreola, USA (stage winner)
• Dafne Quintero, Mexico (host nation representative)

Bold prediction

Vennam reminds everyone exactly who leads the team in India.

Having already achieved something monumental in 2023, winning both the under-18 and senior world titles at the age of 17, India’s emerging young star Aditi Swami can cap an incredible (nay, unbelievable) year by winning the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final as well.

She’s proven more than capable of handling the pressure of the arena. So, why not?

Because Jyothi Surekha Vennam has done all the hard work, paving the way for India’s recent success. Having taken her first individual stage gold in 2023, she deserves this big win.