Turkish youngster Defne Cakmak stunned all competitors on Tuesday as she topped the compound women’s qualification field at the 2025 Conquest Cup.
At just 18, Istanbul is Cakmak’s first appearance on an international shooting line period having only ever done the covid-inspired February | Indoor Archery World Series Online when it comes to the senior world stage but there was no feeling out process in the 72-arrow qualification round.
She dropped 690 including 16 Xs, an impressive score considering plenty of archers were bothered by the warm breezes in the city.
Türkiye’s national federation selected a 19-strong contingent for this annual world ranking event but Cakmak was not one of them and therefore is representing Demka Okçuluk Spor Kulübü, a club based in Istanbul.
Her 690 bettered Türkiye’s nationally selected seasoned compound women’s archers such as recently crowned Spring Arrows gold winner Hazal Burun (684), reigning Paralympic Games compoud open champion Oznur Cure Girdi (688) and last year’s Conquest Cup bronze medallist Emine Rabia Oguz (687).
Not bad company to be better than for a first-timer.
Cakmak’s 72 arrows may have turned heads but the three other categories ceased to live up to that surprise. Berkim Tumer and Mete Gazoz seeded the top two positions – Tumer seed one (677), Gazoz seed two (676) – as they did 12 months ago in the recurve men’s discipline.
Could we see two of Türkiye’s Paris Olympic men’s team bronze medallists face off for the second consecutive year in the Conquest Cup final?
World number two Mathias Fullerton shot 708 in the compound men’s, fresh off his very recent appearance at the 2025 Veronica’s Cup, whilst AIN athlete Nurinisso Makhmudova is in pole position in the recurve women’s. She hit 660.
Competition at the Conquest Cup is currently ongoing with eliminations. Finals will take place on Thursday and are being streamed on archery+.
