BERLIN, Germany – The USA struck gold on Friday at the World Archery Championships as Alexis Ruiz and Sawyer Sullivan combined to conquer defending champions Colombia in the compound mixed team event.
Starting with a perfect score of 40, the pair never looked back as they defeated three-time gold medalist from the 2021 World Archery Championships, Sara Lopez, and her partner Sebastian Arenas 156-154.
For Ruiz, she goes one better than at the 2019 World Archery Championships in s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands when she took silver in the compound women’s team event alongside Paige Pearce and Cassidy Cox.
"I feel really good about the match," admitted Ruiz. "I think Sawyer and I work really well together as a team. We didn’t let the conditions get to us as they were changing during the match. I’m very proud that we are able to bring home the gold medal."
It has truly been a remarkable return to high-level competition this year for Ruiz, who turned 24 last Sunday. Archery had to take a back seat in recent times as she completed nursing school, but the return to form has been evident as she has been able to afford more time to practice.
In June, she defeated Paige Pearce to win gold at the SoCal Showdown in Chula Vista, CA. Days later she was part of the compound women’s team which took gold at the World Cup Stage 3 in Medellin, defeating host nation Colombia.
And Berlin holds happy memories for Ruiz. It was in the German capital four years ago that she climbed to number one in the compound women’s world rankings after winning the fourth stage of the World Cup. She replaced Sara Lopez.
Sullivan claimed individual and team silver at the World Cup Stage 1 in Turkey in April. The 19-year-old – making his debut at this competition – was a compound men’s team bronze medalist at last month’s World Archery Youth Championships in Limerick, Ireland.
He hurriedly arrived in Germany fresh from claiming the Buckeye Classic last Sunday in Dublin, OH. That was a second success for Sullivan at a USAT Qualifier Series event in 2023. He also won Gator Cup in May.
"Today's match was super exciting," beamed Sullivan. "It’s always an awesome experience shooting on stage. I’m super pumped to bring home the gold for Team USA!"
Next up for the USA will be a quarterfinal match for Casey Kaufhold on Sunday in the recurve women’s event. Kaufhold faces An San of Korea, a double Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo two years ago.
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