As the 22-year-old leaves the line-up for now, Jang Minhee returns four months after missing out on individual honours at the Dhaka 2025 Asian Archery Championships.
The 26-year-old finished top of the trials leaderboard and, although she is a former world champion – Yankton 2021 – it will remarkably be her first appearance on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit.
“There are some differences in how I feel now compared to back then,” said Jang when asked whether she feels she is fully back to her 2021 form. “At that time, I didn’t overthink or hesitate much when shooting. These days, I focus more on each individual shot and on myself. I think both approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages.”
Lee Woo Seok is another notable omission, with the Paris men’s individual bronze medallist also failing to make the top-four cut in recurve men.
In his place, Rio 2026 Olympic Champion Ku Bonchan makes a return after a 10-year absence from the international circuit, joining Kim Woojin and Kim Je Deok – the latter finishing first in the trials – alongside debutant Kim Seonwoo.
“I had been away for quite a long time, and there are so many strong competitors now, so I thought it would be difficult,” the 33-year-old said.
“Most of all, when I was previously on the national team, we trained at Taereung Training Center, but this is my first time at Jincheon National Training Center. The training environment, facilities and overall system here are excellent and very supportive for athletes.”
