Archery: Lim Sihyeon shatters world record

Lim Sihyeon shot a world record of 694 points to lead the women's recurve qualifying in the first session of competition at Paris 2024, while her Korean team also set a new Olympic record.

“It’s my first Olympics, so I wanted to give it everything,” Lim said. “I prepared for it. And then I just tried to enjoy it. The result followed.” Lim's score surpasses the previous world best of 691, set by Kang Chae Young at the Hyundai World Archery Championships in 2019, by three points. It also exceeds the Olympic record set by An San three years ago by 18 points.

In near-perfect weather conditions, Lim dropped just seven points over her first 36 arrows and was on pace for a 700-plus 72-arrow round. Only two archers – both men – have ever achieved that significant marker. “It wasn’t like I prepared differently,” she added. “But the expectations of the people were different for this competition.”

As the only archer on the Korean women’s squad with international experience prior to this season, the pressure was on Sihyeon to deliver a team-leading performance at these Olympics. She rose to that challenge early, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable competition.





Although Lim couldn’t maintain her blistering early pace, she still delivered an all-time great performance. This achievement will undoubtedly help to quell the doubts surrounding the Korean women's team, who are aiming for their 10th consecutive Olympic title in Paris.

“Qualification is just the beginning of everything. So instead of feeling the pressure, I will try to get through it, one by one,” concluded Sihyeon. Nam Suhyeon (688) secured the second seed for Korea, while Yang Xiaolei of China scored 673, earning the third seed.

World number one Casey Kaufhold (672) took the fourth seed. Personal bests were achieved by Turkiye’s Elif Gokkir (671) and Indonesia’s Diananda Choirunisa (670), placing them in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Reigning World Archery Champion Marie Horackova finished in the middle of the pack, 31st, with 651, while reigning European Games Champion Penny Healey (631) placed 52nd. Korea, China, Mexico, and India secured the top four seeds in the recurve women’s team competition and will receive a bye directly into the quarterfinals.