China’s Wu Chunyan claimed a historic fourth recurve women’s world title at the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Para Championships, beating teammate Gao Zihan in straight set in the gold medal match.
After a testy opening set, Wu edged the second with a clutch nine for 28 to move four points clear. Gao responded with a 10 in the last to apply some pressure – but Wu calmly matched her with a 10 of her own to seal victory.
It was a composed, champion’s performance and Wu’s fourth individual gold after wins in Donaueschingen 2015, ’s-Hertogenbosch 2019 and Pilsen 2023 – but her first successful defence.
Wu is now the first para archer to win four world titles with the same bow. (Korea’s Lee Ouk Soo also won four, split across recurve W2 and compound.)
The bronze went to 23-year-old Wang Xueqian, in her first international competition, completing a Chinese sweep of the recurve women’s podium.
Wang beat Elisabetta Mijno of Italy in a shoot-off after fighting back from 5-1 down. It was a tough session for Mijno, who also lost two team finals on the same stage.
The men’s individual crown went to Stefano Travisani of Italy, who beat neutral athlete Anton Ziapaev 7-1 in a one-sided final.
After splitting the first set, Travisani was gifted the second and third when Ziapaev, despite strong shooting, was unable to close them out. The Italian stayed consistent to finish the match.
It was an impressive response after losing two team finals earlier in the session.
“I’ve never actually won the individual, so this is really different,” said Travisani. “Yes, I started a bit cautiously, but then I loosened up and went all the way. I was determined – and that was the right approach.”
The bronze went to Hanreuchai Netsiri of Thailand, who dispatched Mexico’s Samuel Molina in straight sets with powerhouse scoring. It is another big medal for the Rio 2016 Paralympic runner-up.
