The 2026 World Archery Oceania Target Championships opened with qualification rounds, as archers across recurve, compound and barebow divisions took to the field in Auckland on Thursday.
Unlike traditional formats, the Oceania championships offer athletes extended competition time, with all archers shooting two 720 rounds. The first round determines rankings for matchplay, while the combined 1440 score decides the continental champions in the target event. Separate medals are also awarded for the matchplay competition.
After 144 arrows, New Zealand archers dominated the rankings across multiple categories.
In recurve men, Mitchell Osborne topped qualification with 1200 points, finishing ahead of compatriots Ben McLean (1192) and Finn Matheson (1165), completing a New Zealand clean sweep of the top three.
Nuala Edmundson led the recurve women’s field with a score of 1141, narrowly edging Julia Harrison (1138), while Isabella Matthews placed third with 1028, again making it an all-New Zealand podium.
In compound men, Hector McNeilly secured top seeding with an impressive 1350, followed by Riku Van Tonder (1342) and Tahiti’s Raiarii Teuiau (1334). Nikki Matheson led the compound women’s qualification with 1268, just ahead of Lisa Walker (1264), with Beverley Evans in third (1188).
New Zealand continued its strong showing in the youth categories, topping multiple under-21 and under-18 events across recurve and compound.
In barebow, Australia’s Adam Sims led the men’s qualification with 1129, while compatriot May Hu topped the women’s field with 1187.
The competition will continue with team events on Saturday, followed by finals on Sunday, where continental titles will be decided.
