China edge past Türkiye amidst huge support at Shanghai

China edged their way into the recurve mixed team gold medal match after a razor close win over Türkiye at Shanghai, the second stage of the 2025 Hyundai World Cup.

Wang Yan and Li Jiaman overcame Mete Gazoz and Dunya Yenihayat 5-3 against a vociferous backdrop at the Yuanshen Sports Centre, with three of four high quality ends tied, the third being the decisive score at 39-37.

At similar decibel levels to yesterday’s heated recurve men team quarterfinal between Korea and China, supporting archers behind the shooting line from both sets of teams made their support well known, producing a cacophony of Chinese and Turkish chants and creating a spectacle rarely seen in midweek World Cup eliminations.

“It gave us strength,” said the reserved Wang on whether the noise affected him at all. “Korea is a very strong team and we will also give our best in that competition.”

“We lose the match (against Korea men yesterday), but we had confidence in ourselves and the competition is not over. We have to fight until the last arrow.”

Sunday’s finals will also be the first time Wang shoots on a World Cup stage that doesn’t involve the men’s team. 

The 25 year old’s bronze in Antalya last year and gold in Central Florida 2025 – the first stage of the World Cup – were his first two medals on archery’s premier international circuit but the mixed team and individuals have always eluded him.

His fortunes are guaranteed to change now though in two days time and after such a finely balanced tie where any small mistake from their pull, from their form, from their mind would have cost dearly, China coach Kwon Yonghak – who was also extremely vocal throughout the tie – assured his team’s quality in an intimate team huddle at the end.

“We believe in you and you have to believe in yourself and do all your best,” revealed Wang on what Kwon told them.