The world’s premier archery circuit is back. The 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup kicks off in Central Florida, USA, from April 8 to 13, setting the stage for a four-stage global odyssey that will culminate in a dazzling final in Nanjing, China.
As the world’s top archers prepare to battle for supremacy, India arrives with a talented but slightly depleted squad due to last-minute visa hurdles. Still, expectations are high — and the arrowheads are sharp.
A Global Stage with Historic Significance
Now in its 19th edition, the Hyundai Archery World Cup has become synonymous with elite international competition. First launched in 2006, the tournament has grown in stature and reach, offering a pathway for archers to establish dominance, earn international acclaim, and qualify for the prestigious final.
The 2025 circuit traverses Central Florida, Shanghai, Antalya, and Madrid, before culminating in Nanjing in October. The Chinese city becomes the final host for the first time, offering a symbolic climax before the finals move to Mexico for three years.
The 2020 season, which would have been the 15th edition, was cancelled due to COVID-19 — a reminder of the resilience of global sport. Since then, the competition has rebounded stronger than ever.
Team India: Balancing Experience and Emerging Stars
India’s 16-member squad, although partially delayed by visa complications, is packed with a blend of veteran champions and fresh talent.
The recurve team features stalwarts like Atanu Das, Tarundeep Rai, and Deepika Kumari, all Olympic veterans with years of top-tier experience. Alongside them are rising stars like Dhiraj Bommadevara, who won a World Cup bronze in 2024, and Anshika Kumari, part of India’s next generation of archery excellence.
In the compound section, India is fielding an impressive lineup led by Abhishek Verma, Ojas Deotale, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, the latter two being reigning world champions and consistent podium contenders.
World Champion Aditi Swami, still awaiting visa clearance, remains a key figure whose potential absence from the women’s team event would be a major setback.
India’s Squad for Central Florida:
Recurve Men: Atanu Das, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, Parth Salunkhe
Recurve Women: Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, Simranpreet Kaur, Anshika Kumari
Compound Men: Abhishek Verma, Ojas Deotale, Rishabh Yadav, Uday Kamboj
Compound Women: Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, Madhura D., Chikitha Taniparthi
However, as of April 6, several athletes including Dhiraj and Aditi are still awaiting visa clearance, and could be racing against the clock to reach the venue before the qualification rounds begin. If the compound women’s team doesn’t arrive in time, India might not be able to field a team due to the minimum requirement of three archers per event.
Key Global Storylines to Watch
1. A Mix of Legendary Locales and Fresh Destinations
Central Florida joins the World Cup map as the fourth American venue, after Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Yankton. Meanwhile, Shanghai returns for its 15th edition and Antalya makes its 18th appearance, further cementing its legacy. Madrid debuts in June, bringing a new flavor to the circuit.
This mix of familiar and fresh venues introduces challenges — from wind and humidity to crowd energy and field orientation — testing each athlete’s adaptability.
2. Returning Champions Under Fire
Eyes will be on reigning champions Kim Woojin, Jiaman Li, James Lutz, and Sara Lopez, who face stiff challenges in defending their titles. Lopez, in particular, is chasing a historic 10th World Cup Final title — she already holds nine and leads in individual stage wins with 12. American legend Brady Ellison and Dutch powerhouse Mike Schloesser will be formidable contenders too.
India’s compound duo of Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, both reigning world champions, will look to add World Cup glory to their growing resumes.
3. Youth Surge: The Rise of a New Generation
The 2025 circuit is expected to spotlight emerging talent, with India, Korea, and the USA introducing young stars. Matias Grande of Mexico, fresh off a Pan-American title and Olympic debut, is one to watch. For India, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Aditi Swami are part of this next-gen core hoping to disrupt the status quo.
Korea, the sport’s most dominant nation, continues to rotate in top-tier talent, using the World Cup to prepare for the Hyundai World Archery Championships on home soil in Gwangju later this year.
4. The Road to Nanjing — And Korea
Every stage of this World Cup acts as a qualifier for the Nanjing Finals. Stage winners receive automatic berths, while others qualify based on the Hyundai Archery World Cup Rankings. Each final includes eight archers per category (men/women in recurve and compound), with one slot reserved for a host nation athlete.
With Gwangju 2025 on the horizon, Korea will use this circuit to fine-tune its squad. Expect intense internal competition and record-breaking performances, especially in recurve, where Korea has traditionally ruled.
Format and Fierce Competition
Recurve archers shoot from 70 metres at 122 cm targets, using the set system — the first to 6 set points wins. Compound archers shoot from 50 metres at 80 cm targets, using cumulative scoring over 15 arrows. Both disciplines feature individual, team, and mixed team events.
Each stage begins with a 72-arrow qualification round to seed athletes, followed by knockout eliminations until the final four in each category emerge. These are the medal matches, televised worldwide on archery+.
The grand final in October is a pure knockout format, with a random draw determining matchups. Champions in each category receive 30,000 CHF, part of a total prize purse exceeding 400,000 CHF — the largest in global archery.
India’s Hopes and the Path Ahead
Despite the last-minute travel drama, India’s archers are in form and full of ambition. The spotlight is on Jyothi, Ojas, and Deepika — all proven medalists — but there’s hope that emerging names like Simranpreet Kaur, Rishabh Yadav, and Parth Salunkhe will step up.
Visa issues notwithstanding, this is a crucial year for Indian archery. With the World Championships in Korea and a packed World Cup calendar, consistency will be key.
The Archery Association of India (AAI) has shown its determination to get athletes to the field — even if that means racing from the airport to the venue with barely hours to spare.
The 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup promises drama, duels, and historic feats. For India, it’s a chance to assert itself on the global stage, build momentum toward the World Championships, and inspire a new generation of archers. From Central Florida to Nanjing, every arrow will carry the weight of dreams.
As archers draw their bows under the Florida sun, one thing is certain — the road to glory has begun.
