Recurve Women: Korean shootout again?
Although Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Hsin-tzu gave An San a run for her money in Nanjing last year, that hasn’t deterred any of our experts from picking a Korean champion in the recurve women category.
Their national trials are still ongoing – hence why there is no Korean representation in Puebla – and so there is no confirmation as to who is going on the world circuti this year but Kang Chaeyoung is still the popular choice amongst our experts.
Bernardo and Karim agree she is not done from becoming World champion as she seeks to cement one of the hotly contested places for LA28 after missing out on the Paris 2024 team.
In the prime of her career, they concur that Chaeyoung will be tough to beat in 2026.
“Nearing her 30’s, she’s got the strong mix of experience and top form. Her opponents will need to bring their A game to try and challenge her,” explains Bernardo.
“Kang seems to be back to her best form,” says Karim. “The Destroyer will be tough to be in the knockout format.”
Like his recurve men pick, John is trusting youth to flourish in the women category. He is picking Oh Yejin to go all the way in the stages and the final in Saltillo.
The Limerick 2023 World Youth champion beat the likes of Olympic triple gold medallist Lim Sihyeon to the initial eight-archer Korean squad and is closer than ever to shooting in her maiden World Cup tour.
“The talent is there,” adds John. “I think she will make a rookie impact like never before.”
Audrey has the only non-Korean pick of the category, choosing India’s Deepika Kumari to upset the apple cart.
