Lausanne (SUI), 1 August 2025 — British archer Ella Gibson has been named The World Games Athlete of the Month for July 2025 by the International World Games Association (IWGA), just weeks before she travels to Chengdu, China, to defend her compound archery title at The World Games 2025 to be hosted from 7-17 August.
The 25-year-old, who clinched gold at Birmingham 2022, heads into Chengdu with renewed confidence after a breakthrough win at the fourth stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Madrid. The victory marked a turning point in an otherwise frustrating season for Gibson, who had yet to reach a final at any World Cup stage this year until Madrid.
In Madrid, Gibson edged India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam 148-147 in a tightly contested final, sealing the win with steady shooting that weathered Vennam’s late perfect round. The performance ended Gibson’s podium drought since taking bronze at The Vegas Shoot earlier in the year.
“In 2022, I won pretty much every event I went to,” Gibson reflected after her Madrid victory. “But I think when you really do put your blood, sweat and a lot of tears in it, it means that much more.”
Now, as she sets her sights on Chengdu, Gibson is determined to build on her momentum.
“I always want to do well at every event I attend and I always want to win,” she said in her interview with IWGA. “Winning in 2022 doesn’t really change my mindset. If anything, it takes a bit of the pressure off.”
Acclimating to Chengdu
With Chengdu's notorious summer heat and humidity on the horizon, Gibson has taken practical steps to prepare—spending time in saunas to help her body adjust. But she remains unfazed by the forecast.
“Our recent events have been pretty hot, so I don’t think Chengdu will be too much of a challenge,” she noted.
As for travel logistics, Gibson isn’t letting jet lag or nutrition derail her final preparations. “Jet lag has never been an issue for me. I always sleep on long-haul flights and that helps. With food, I just take it day by day and make sure I’m fuelling myself with enough protein and carbohydrates to feel consistent.”
Same Strategy for the win
Gibson’s approach heading into Chengdu is simple but effective: consistency and confidence.
“My strategy is always the same no matter who competes alongside me—be the best I can be, be confident and leave nothing on the table,” she said. “I know all my competitors and their skills, so I feel mentally prepared.”
Having already secured a spot at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Nanjing, China, Gibson enters the next chapter of her 2025 season with renewed purpose—and now, with the honour of being July’s Athlete of the Month under her belt, she will aim to add another gold to her name in Chengdu.
Where to Watch TWG 2025
Fans worldwide can watch all the action LIVE on The World Games Live, the IWGA official streaming platform. Highlights, the Daily Show and on-demand (VoD) content will also be available daily.