Our recurve and compound archers have closed out their 2025 World Archery Championships campaign in Gwangju, South Korea, with composed shooting, narrow losses and promising signs for future competitions.
The women’s compound team (Rhiannon Mills, Georgina Graham and Anna Wells) ranked 20th in the ranking round, and opened with a confident 229-225 win over Vietnam, before losing to the fourth-seeded USA in breezy conditions.
Competition reached a nail-biting conclusion in the men’s quarterfinal with Australia (Brandon Hawes, Bailey Watts and Harry Tetzlaff), who had earlier advanced past Kazakhstan, and India finishing level at 232-232, before the Indians took the win in a thrilling shoot-off.
In mixed competition, Rhiannon Mills and Brandon Hawes performed well against a strong Italian side but couldn’t close the gap. Mills shone in individual competition, shooting two 145s and pushing her opponent (148) to the limit.
Her performance highlighted Australia’s growing strength in female compound athletes.
Recurve qualification was held in tough conditions, with heavy rain and thunder over the Gwangju range.
Lexie Feeney ranked 40th, Laura Paeglis 67th and Ryan Tyack 17th after a steady round, while Jai Crawley and Marcus Yiu both gained valuable experience, with Crawley recovering strongly from a defiant arrow.
The men’s team (Tyack, Crawley and Yiu went down 5-1 to Germany, while the mixed pairing of Tyack and Feeney fell short against Czechia.
In eliminations, Tyack and Crawley advanced through their first matches, before Crawley faced Olympic champion Mauro Nespoli in the second round and went down 7–1.
Tyack edged Singapore’s Long 6-4 before losing to Senna Roos of the Netherlands. Feeney and Paeglis both won their opening matches, defeating Indonesia and Denmark respectively, before being stopped by higher-ranked opponents in their 1/24 round.
Tight contests, strong individual performances and glimpses of future potential underline the depth of talent in the squad as attention now turns to the 2026 international season and LA 2028 preparations.
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Athlete Achievements – 2025 World Archery Championships
Compound:
- Rhiannon Mills: Shot consecutive 145s in eliminations, narrowly missed quarterfinal with opponent’s 148. Competed in mixed team event.
- Brandon Hawes: Competed in men’s team and mixed team events, contributing to Kazakhstan win and close matches.
- Bailey Watts: Competed in men’s team, gained valuable international experience.
- Harry Tetzlaff: Won opening elimination match 147-145, strong performance against Italy’s Elia Fregnan.
- Men’s compound Team: Beat Kazakhstan in first round, narrowly lost to India in shoot-off.
- Women’s compound Team: Beat Vietnam in first round, strong showing against USA.
Recurve:
- Ryan Tyack: Ranked 17th; advanced to third round of eliminations; partnered Lexie in mixed event.
- Jai Crawley: Advanced to second round, faced Olympic champion Mauro Nespoli; strong recovery from early setback.
- Marcus Yiu: Competed in men’s team and individual qualification.
- Lexie Feeney: Ranked 40th; defeated Indonesia 6-2; advanced to second round.
- Laura Paeglis: Ranked 67th; beat Denmark 6-4; advanced to second round.
- Men’s Recurve Team: Lost 5-1 to Germany.
- Mixed Recurve Team: Tyack and Feeney lost to Czechia in first round.
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