Reo Wilde scripts South Korean sweep of top seedings in Shanghai

Coached by a foreigner for the first time, Korea’s Kim Jongho and Oh Yoohyun topped compound qualifying at the second stage of the 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai, China.

Early signs are that Korea’s compound archers are responding to the methods of Reo Wilde, a former World Archery Champion.

The American has made a great start to his first permanent coaching role as his archers shot well in very tough conditions.

Kim Jonhgo last topped Hyundai Archery World Cup qualifying five years ago – here in Shanghai. Flanked by Wilde for the first time, the 28-year-old regained his best form and shot 709 to claim the top seeding.

“I am taking less caffeine to sleep better,” revealed Kim. “The focus this week will be to rely on my process which I do in the training.”

Kim lost in the second round twice last season, his best result a quarterfinal in Medellin. He has laid the foundation to significantly improve on those performances this week. 

The top two women’s places were claimed by Koreans as world number 41 Oh Yoohyun shot 700 to qualify first, two points ahead of teammate and 2017 World Champion Song Yun Soo.

“It was hard to shoot consistently, and I struggled initially,” said Oh. “But I am happy to find my rhythm. Catching the right moment in the wind to shoot was the key.”

Conditions were rough as the circuit returned to China for the first time since 2019.

Archers had to contend with a changing, swirling wind and only 11 compound men and women shot in excess of 700.

It was a difficult morning for some of the archers who won gold medals at the first stage of the season in Antalya one month ago.

India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam equalled the world record of 713 in Antalya and went on to win individual gold at the 20th attempt.

In Shanghai, she struggled with the wind and shot 693.

“It wasn’t a great day,” Vennam said. “We could have done better, not the usual conditions that I have experienced before in Shanghai.”

Antalya men’s individual gold medallist Josef Bosansky of Slovakia placed third in qualification, shooting 706 to finish a point behind Mathias Fullerton in second.

“Not very happy, 706 is not what I make at practice,” said Bosansky. “There was that big wind coming every time.”

“Nothing has changed after the win in Antalya. It’s a new day, new week and a whole new tournament, so the process begins again.”

Action continues on Wednesday with compound team eliminations and recurve qualification.

Top seeds: Compound men

1. Kim Jongho, Korea – 709 (8 circuit ranking points)
2. Mathias Fullerton, Denmark – 707 (7 points)
3. Jozef Bosansky, Slovakia – 706 (6 points)
4. Tim Jevsnik, Slovenia – 705 58 10s 22Xs (5 points)
5. Shamai Yamrom, Israel – 705 57 10s 18Xs (5 points)
6. Kris Schaff, USA – 704 (3 points)
7. Mike Schloesser, Netherlands – 703 (2 points) 
8. Choi Yonghee, Korea – 702 (1 point)

Top seeds: Compound women

1. Oh Yoohyun, Korea – 700 (8 circuit ranking points)
2. Song Yun Soo, Korea – 698 (7 points)
3. Hazal Burun, Türkiye – 696 50 10s 17 Xs (6 points)
4. Ella Gibson, Great Britain – 696 49 10s 22 Xs (6 points)
5. Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Malaysia – 695 (4 points)
6. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, India – 693 48 10s 22 Xs (3 points)
7. Meeri-Marita Paas, Estonia – 693 48 10s 17 Xs (3 points)
8. Andrea Becerra, Mexico – 692 46 10s 23 Xs (1 point)  
9. Dafne Quintero, Mexico – 692 46 10s 17 Xs (1 point)