Korea’s Choi Misun, Kim Woojin high scorers over recurve ranking round

Korean recurve woman Choi Misun scored 682 and recurve man Kim Woojin 695 out of a possible 720 points to take top seedings over the ranking round at the fourth stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Berlin, Germany. Choi was 10 points clear and Kim 14 points ahead of the rest of their fields.

“I feel quite comfortable about this World Cup stage four because for me this event is just preparation for the world championships,” said Choi.

Only three athletes per nation are permitted in each division at the World Archery Championships, while Hyundai Archery World Cup stages allow four. The Korean team used the tour as selection events to decide which athletes would attend Mexico City – and Choi Misun’s qualification performance in Berlin secured her place in that squad.

“In 2015 I got bronze [at the worlds] and want to get gold this time but if I just enjoy the world championships I think the result will be more than I could expect,” Choi added.

Olympic Champion Chang Hye Jin was the second-seeded recurve woman on 672 points, India’s Deepika Kumari third with 664 (tied on score but higher on 10-count with Alejandra Valencia of Mexico). 

Choi’s score came within four points of the recurve women’s world record, held by teammate Ki Bo Bae (seventh seed in Berlin), and top man Kim Woojin was just five points off his own world-best mark (700 out of 720), set at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“I was in good mood when I was shooting today and it made the result better. Every event is a valuable experience and learn a lot from each one,” said Kim. “They are a good teacher!”

His 695 was the highest recurve score of the 2017 season.

Im Dong Hyun, who beat teammate Kim in a shoot-off for gold at stage three of the international circuit, ranked second with 681 points, and Canada’s Crispin Duenas finished the Berlin qualifying session in third on 677.

While Choi Misun’s place in Mexico City was confirmed, a team source said the rest of the Korean team roster for the worlds was not yet finalised and that an announcement would be made after Berlin.

The fourth stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 8 to 13 August in Berlin, Germany.