India is known for its ruthless trials system, with multiple national selections each year to ensure the best archers are chosen on form rather than reputation. Just nine days after Gwangju, the team will head back to trials for November’s Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka.
But Yadav has been a constant in 2025. He has collected two individual bronzes (Shanghai and the Chengdu 2025 World Games), team medals (bronze in Shanghai, gold in Central Florida) and mixed medals (gold in Central Florida, bronze in Madrid). Now he adds a World [Archery] Championship gold and silver to his tally.
Vennam has long been India’s standard-bearer on the women’s side. Yadav may be on his way to doing the same for the men.
“We are still on the road to the Olympics, so it’s all good,” he said. “All the medals we had throughout the World Cup stages showed we are able to do the same on the world championship level.”
“It adds up that we are on the right path.”
Mexico’s women are on the same trajectory.
Since silver in Berlin two years ago, the country has been a regular podium presence. This year alone, the women’s team reached three World Cup finals (two golds, one silver).
World number one Andrea Becerra is the only holdover from Berlin, but it was Mariana Bernal who shone brightest at 5.18 Democracy Square, dropping a perfect eight 10s (four 10Xs) despite the downpour and humidity as Mexico beat the USA, 236–231.
