KiSik Lee to leave team USA as head coach after 18 years

KiSik Lee is to leave his role as team USA’s head coach at the end of 2024 after 18 years in the position.

USA Archery announced yesterday that the 67-year-old ‘has shifted his priorities to family’ and would therefore conclude nearly two decades at the helm where he has overseen five Olympic cycles.

The Korean has led USA to over 300 World Cup medals, more so than any country in that time, three Olympic medals in addition to gold medals in indoor, outdoor, field and 3D world championships.

“It has been an incredible journey,” Lee told USA Archery who previously coached Korea and Australia. “I am deeply thankful to USA Archery, my colleagues, and the many athletes I have had the honour to coach.”

“Watching them grow and succeed has been very rewarding. I look forward to seeing the continued success of USA Archery in the years to come.”

As well as the medals, KiSik Lee is renowned in the USA for putting together a biomechanically driven approach to shooting which is now the nations’ acclaimed ‘national archery system’.

It wasn’t just seniors he made his mark on though. During his tenure he also played a big part in training USA’s youth prospects, leading the coaching for programmes such as ‘Junior Dream Team’ and ‘Resident Athlete’.

World number seven Brady Ellison has been under the tutelage of Lee throughout his career on the USA team where he has won three Olympic medals, two World Field Championships, the 2019 Hyundai World Archery Championships and five World Cup Finals.

Ellison though believes his accolades in the sport that have made him into ‘most winning archers of all time’ are down to Lee as much as him.

“It was not just his technical knowledge that shaped my career,” said Ellison. “He helped me grow up as a person and helped shape me into the man I am today and for that I will be forever grateful.”

Chief executive officier Rod Menzer and the rest of USA Archery will now be on the lookout for Lee’s successor who will have big shoes to fill in at Chula Vista.

“He has not only developed world-class athletes but has also inspired a generation of archers and coaches,” said Menzer of Lee. “Coach Lee’s contributions to USA Archery are immeasurable.”

The news means Paris 2024 will be Lee’s final Olympic Games as USA head coach where Ellison will be competing alongside a full women’s team of Catalina Gnoriega, Casey Kaufhold and Jennifer Mucino. 

The action begins in France this Thursday 25 July, a day before the opening ceremony, with the individual ranking round and finishes on 4 August after the men’s individual finals.