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.”
Rio 2016 individual 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,” said the 33-year-old.
“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.”
Olympic individual bronze medallist Lee Woo Seok – who also won men’s team gold in Paris alongside Woojin and Je Deok – finished outside the top four in the trials, but still secured a place among the eight archers selected to the national squad.
