Elia Canales and Andres Temiño Mediel produced a performance they will never forget, winning recurve mixed team gold at the fourth stage of the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid after a dramatic shoot-off victory over China.
Roared on by a passionate home crowd at Complutense National Stadium, the reigning Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships mixed team gold medallists shot two perfect 10s in the shoot-off to edge Li Mengqi and Zhu Jingyi in one of the most memorable matches of the season.
The challenge could hardly have been greater.
Li and Zhu have both won individual Hyundai Archery World Cup stages this year, with Zhu claiming victories in Puebla and Antalya.
But Spain was determined to leave its home event with at least one gold medal.
Whether inspired by competing in front of family and friends or simply rising to the occasion once again, Canales and Temiño Mediel delivered when it mattered most.
“Well, it’s a really great feeling, isn’t it?” said Temiño Mediel after celebrating with teammates, family and supporters on the field of play. “Having everyone here cheering us on, my family, all my teammates, it was really exciting to be able to win at home.”
“We were already dreaming about it last year, and this year we’ve achieved it, so now it’s time to enjoy it.”
Canales admitted there had been moments of tension but said the support of the home crowd ultimately gave her confidence rather than adding pressure.
“The crowd is here, my family is here, my friends are here, it motivates me so much more,” she said.
“It’s true that there were tense moments when I thought I’d just get a perfect 10 and think, ‘What if I mess up?’ But then I said, ‘No, no, I trust my shot, I trust my teammate, I trust my work and everything I’ve done to be here.’”
“I just wanted to enjoy the moment, that’s all.”
