Colombia’s Sara Lopez was pushed out of the top spot in the world ranking list by Sarah Sonnichsen, from Denmark, when it was published on 26 June 2017 with the inclusion of points accrued at stage three of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Salt Lake City.
Lopez spent a total of 1033 consecutive days ranked number one in the world, which is a record, counting lists issues since the Hyundai Archery World Cup was launched in 2006.
“As I have always said, being number one in the world is just a number. For me, being the best in the world is to be a good archer, a good teammate, a good person, make the finals – smile all the time – enjoy the trips and the competitions,” said Lopez.
“That’s what I have done throughout the past four years of my life. And I know, if I continue doing these things with passion, then I will be back there again. Even if I don’t make it, I will know I have given 100%, and whatever happens I will continue enjoying what I love the most, which is shooting.”
Her tenure at number one was 431 days longer than Brady Ellison, who spent 602 days ranked first from 10 August 2011 to 3 April 2013.
Since the start of the World Cup, only one archer has accrued more cumulative days at number one than Sara. Korean recurve woman Yun Ok Hee spent 1195 days on top between 2008 and 2013.
Two other world ranking lists saw new archers ascend to the number one position.
Olympic Champion Chang Hye Jin took the recurve women’s top spot from Ki Bo Bae, while JC Valladont – who only became the recurve man’s world number one two weeks previously – dropped into second behind Kim Woojin.
Despite losing the compound men’s gold medal to world number two Mike Schloesser in Salt Lake City, Stephan Hansen remained in first.
The third stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 20 to 25 June in Salt Lake City, USA
