Reigning European Champion Ella Gibson of Great Britain has been elected, and Abhishek Verma of India re-elected, to World Archery’s athletes committee following a vote held during the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships.
Gibson has been named chair of the committee, with Verma confirmed as deputy chair.
In the compound men’s election, the 36-year-old Indian archer received 38 votes, just ahead of Roberto Hernandez of El Salvador (32) and Choi Yonghee of Korea (26). In the compound women’s election, the 25-year-old British archer won with 55 votes, edging out Dafne Quintero of Mexico (31) and Chen Yi-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei (10).
Gibson and Verma will serve four-year terms and join existing committee members Bryony Pitman (term until 2026), Crystal Gauvin and Bernardo Oliveira (both until 2027).
Terms are staggered to maintain continuity and ensure knowledge transfer.
Following the adoption of Motion 6 and Amendment 6.1 at the 2025 World Archery Congress held in Gwangju last week, the athletes committee will expand from five to eight members.
Under the new system, four members will be elected at the World Archery Championships (one male and one female recurve archers the year prior to the Olympic Games; one male and one female compound archers the year following the Olympics), one at the World Archery Field Championships in the Olympic year, one at the World Archery Youth Championships the year after the Olympics, one at the World Archery Para Championships and one appointed by the executive board.
The updated election schedule ensures broad representation across disciplines and championships.
Competition at the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships is currently underway.
