Key Takeaways:
- Brady Ellison is nominated for Archer of the Year in the 2025 World Archery Awards
- The United States is represented in six of the eight award categories
- New award categories introduced in 2025 recognize young archers, para archers, acts of fair play, coaches, judges, teams, and events
- Team USA features prominently in the nominations, with athletes such as Savannah O’Donohue, Jason Tabansky, and Elias Cuesta being recognized for their achievements
- The public vote for Archer of the Year is open until February 13, 2026
Introduction to the 2025 World Archery Awards
The countdown is on for the 2025 World Archery Awards, with archery fans having until February 13, 2026, to cast their votes for their favorite athletes. The United States is well-represented in the awards, with nominations in six of the eight categories. One of the most notable nominees is Brady Ellison, who is up for Archer of the Year. Ellison has had an incredible career, with nearly two decades of competing at the elite level. In 2025, he reclaimed the recurve men’s world number one ranking, a feat he first achieved 15 years ago.
Brady Ellison’s Achievements
Ellison’s 2025 season was one for the books, with victories at the Indoor World Series and the Archery World Cup Final. He also added to his extensive medal collection with a podium finish at the World Archery Championships in Korea. These achievements have cemented his status as one of the all-time greats in the sport. The Archer of the Year honor will be determined through a combination of public and press voting, with the public vote open until February 13, 2026. Fans can cast their votes to show their support for Ellison and other nominated athletes.
New Award Categories
In 2025, new award categories were introduced to recognize young archers, para archers, acts of fair play, coaches, judges, teams, and events. These categories will be decided by appointed panels, and Team USA features prominently in the nominations. Savannah O’Donohue is one of five nominees for Young Archer of the Year, after a flawless performance at the World Archery Youth Championships. Jason Tabansky earned his nomination for Para Archer of the Year following a standout season that saw him finish world number one in the W1 men’s division.
Team USA’s Success
The United States has had an impressive year in archery, with many athletes achieving great success. The recurve women’s trio of Catalina GNoriega, Casey Kaufhold, and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez are finalists for Team of the Year, after rewriting the history books with their performances. They medaled at three of four Hyundai Archery World Cup stages in 2025, a remarkable achievement considering the previous U.S. recurve women’s team medal at a World Cup came eight years earlier. Elias Cuesta is one of three nominees for Coach of the Year, after guiding Team USA through one of its most successful seasons in recent memory.
Acts of Fair Play
Sportsmanship is an essential part of archery, and the Fair Play category recognizes athletes who demonstrate respect, integrity, and camaraderie. Cindy Czako is one of two nominees in this category, after a selfless act during the barebow women’s gold medal match at the Easton Foundations Gator Cup. Czako noticed her opponent, Ava Jones, struggling with an equipment issue and offered her own tool to help. This moment embodied the spirit of archery and showcased the values that make the sport special.
Conclusion
The 2025 World Archery Awards are a celebration of the best in archery, and Team USA is well-represented in the nominations. With athletes like Brady Ellison, Savannah O’Donohue, and Jason Tabansky being recognized for their achievements, it’s clear that the United States has a bright future in the sport. The public vote for Archer of the Year is open until February 13, 2026, and fans can cast their votes to show their support for their favorite athletes. With the introduction of new award categories and the recognition of acts of fair play, the 2025 World Archery Awards are a testament to the values and excellence of the sport.