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Schloesser wins World Games compound men’s title at third attempt

9 August 2025

Chengdu, China

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Mike Schloesser lived up to his ‘Mr Perfect’ nickname at the Chengdu 2025 World Games, winning the compound men’s individual title with a perfect score to beat the USA’s Curtis Broadnax, 150-148.

It was a statement score that delighted the crowd, and showed Mikey at his very best.

”Walking away here with a gold medal, it’s like third time is a charm,” said the 31-year-old.

It was the Dutchman’s third attempt at a World Games title, after his run at Birmingham 2022 was stopped by Abhishek Verma and his Wroclaw 2017 competition was ended in the quarterfinals by Esmaeil Ebadi. The win also means that Schloesser has now won every major title in target available.

“I’m very excited, this one has been haunting me for a couple years now and I finally had a little bit of luck and some good moments to show, and at the level I have been in the last 12 months,” he said.

Both archers had made it clear they were ready for a final on the way to the last two, and as they took the stage for the first crucial arrows, Schloesser seemed to be looking for the reassurance that all was well with his shot, with Broadnax impassive but determined.

Both opened with clean, strong ends and it looked as though it might be a nail-biter all the way to the last, but the tension seemed to just nudge at Broadnax; and his third arrow in the second end dropped low. He shook his head, knowing that against Schloesser in form, it would be difficult to come back.

It would turn out to be impossible. The world number one was in full flow and never looked in danger of missing the 10-ring; with just the slightest flicker of the fingers on the very last arrow showing that he was still, indeed, human.

Broadnax, who took a bronze medal yesterday in the mixed team competition, was gracious in defeat after an impressive tournament.

“I’m very grateful that it ended up working out like this,“ said the 26-year-old. “[Winning medals] is the expectation; as an athlete you always expect to win. Unfortunately I didn’t end up winning but it’s okay. I’m happy with how I did. I feel good to stand on the podium.”

For Schloesser, it was a genuinely vintage performance.

“I showed up here. Of course, ending the week with the perfect 150 in the final match, it’s of course a really awesome way to finish the week, and I’m excited to be here with my family now and enjoy that time,” he said.

It was the first tournament attended by Mike and Gaby Schloesser‘s daughter Luna, just ten weeks old, who arrived the day before. With Gaby shooting in the recurve competition starting Monday, the new champion will have to pull a parental shift.

“It’s my turn to take over the duties and to be the single dad now, but I’m having fun and I’m really excited for her to be here, and I hope there are many to come,” he said.

The bronze medal went to Rishabh Yadav, who defeated his teammate Abhishek Verma in an all-Indian affair for the third spot. An on-point Yadav produced a rock-solid 149 to Verma’s 147 to make the podium.

This concluded the compound event.

Competition at the 2025 World Games continues on Monday with recurve field qualifying.