Photo by World Archery
SHANGHAI, China – Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage #2 produced four medals for the United States, with Alexis Ruiz involved in three of the medal-winning matches.
The 26-year-old from Arizona helped the U.S. to compound mixed team gold alongside James Lutz, with a 157-154 win over Turkey. It was the first time the duo had won gold as a pair, with victories over Spain, India and Estonia on their way to the top of the podium.
Turkey had earlier defeated the USA in the compound men and compound women team gold medal matches, with Lutz commenting, “It feels great. I’m just lucky I’ve got Alexis as a partner. She really carried me today, for sure.”
For Ruiz, it was gold at the end of a week which delivered bronze in the individual compound women’s competition, as well as silver in compound women team event, with Olivia Dean and Kaylee Gurney as teammates.
Ruiz was the number one seed after shooting 707 in qualification and carried that form into eliminations, enjoying a maximum 150 in her quarterfinal win over Yeonseo Kang (KOR). She was denied a shot at gold, despite a 149 in the semifinals, losing to eventual gold medalist Lisell Jaatma (EST) after a shootoff. Bronze was delivered after a 148-145 triumph over Dafne Quintero (MEX).
The USA led by two points heading into the fourth and final end against Turkey in the compound women team gold medal match, only to lose by a single point 233-232.
Lutz returned home with two medals. As well as his compound mixed team gold, he also took silver in compound men team, with Gaius Carter and Louis Price. They were denied gold by Turkey, 234-231 with the final end again being decisive.
The recurve men of Trenton Cowles, Brady Ellison and Jack Williams just missed out on a medal in the team competition, edged 5-3 by Vietnam in the battle for bronze.
Ellison had previously secured his spot in the season-ending World Cup Final with gold at World Cup Stage #1 last month in Mexico.
The 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup moves to Turkey next month with Stage #3 in Antalya. Stage #4 will be in Madrid, Spain in July. The World Cup Final takes place in Saltillo, Mexico in September.
Before all of that, the USA archers resume domestic duties with the second stage of the USAT Qualifier Series, which is the Easton Foundations Salt Lake Summit from May 22-24. That will mark the first of two editions of the Salt Lake Summit, with youth and para youth competing a week later (May 29-31). Registration remains open for the youth event until May 15, though a waitlist is in effect for certain categories.
| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
|
World Cup Stage #1 |
April 7-12 |
Puebla, Mexico |
|
World Cup Stage #2 |
May 5-10 |
Shanghai, China |
|
World Cup Stage #3 |
June 9-14 |
Antalya, Turkey |
|
World Cup Stage #4 |
July 7-12 |
Madrid, Spain |
|
World Cup Final |
September 12-13 |
Saltillo, Mexico |
