Andrea Becerra may have lost her world number one spot recently to Ella Gibson but reminded everyone that her return to the top could be sooner rather than later in Shanghai, the second stage of the Hyundai World Cup becoming the first seed in compound women.
Becerra just beat European champion Gibson with the pair tying scores at the top with 711, the Mexican hitting three more Xs (30) than the Brit (27) to get pole position out of 43 competitors.
“I’m really happy. It was so close so I’m just really excited,” said the 22 year old. “I know Ella was shooting really similar, so it just came down to the Xs.”
“I want to be on the podium so we’re working towards that and hopefully this turns out pretty similar (to Central Florida).”
It is familiar territory for Mexico’s Becerra having poled also at Central Florida, the first stage of the 2025 World Cup, and also shot as the number one seed at the Shanghai 2024 and Antalya 2024 World Cups last year as well.
Today though, Becerra walked into the Yuanshen Sports Centre as the only compound women archer with a ticket to the Nanjing World Cup Final having won her first ever World Cup individual gold in the USA last month.
No laurels were rested however by Becerra today, averaging 9.9 across the 72-arrow qualification round against the odd gust of wind as she revealed her motivation is to reclaim the world number one spot in time for Nanjing.
“I think just being a little confident in my shot, trying to relax and enjoy,” added Becerra when asked about the afternoon session. “We had amazing weather, a little different to Florida. I’m really motivated, I want to rank first at the World Cup Final and be number one again, so that’s my goal at the moment.”
