Shanghai a one-time winning opportunity for Korean compounder So Chaewon

So Chaewon won the compound women’s trials in Korea, securing herself a spot on the national team for a third consecutive year. That team is travelling to two events in 2019 – the Hyundai World Archery Championships and one stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup.

“I only have one chance to make it to the Final this year and that’s here in Shanghai. I really want to qualify. Hopefully, I get to win here and get a ticket,” she said.

“I’ve been practising hard with my team and I’ve prepared well, so I can expect my results to be good. This is kind of a one-time opportunity and I have to make sure I use it properly.”

Under the rules introduced at the start of last season, the winner of each stage of the circuit receives an automatic ticket to the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final. There’s very little chance attending only a single stage would award enough points to qualify on ranking, so getting a gold medal in Shanghai is So’s only option.

It would be her first stage victory if she won here.

Chaewon took three bronze medals on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit in 2018 – at the stages in Shanghai and Antalya, and the final in Samsun – but hasn’t yet appeared in a final. It’s something she’s hungry to rectify.

“The main goal this year is to win the world championships and, to be honest, I’d really like the individual title. I have succeeded with my team at many other events and we will probably keep doing so, but I don’t have any individual gold or silver at the worlds, and I want to do it,” said So.

One of the two compound women to shoot a perfect 900-point score at the Vegas Shoot in February of this year, where she only lost the title to world number two Sara Lopez, she enters the season ranked number nine in the world.

So shot the season’s highest international ranking round scores in 2017 and 2018 (both 709). Lopez has already gone higher than that in 2019, matching her world record of 713 points at the opening stage of the Medellin 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup.

The Colombian world number two’s record is unparalleled – but it feels like the 21-year-old Korean archer could soon pose a threat to Sara’s dominance.

“I’ve learned to focus on myself and not on any other person. I don’t even think about her having the world record or about the scores she’s shooting, although I do think about her when I feel that I want to break the world record,” said Chaewon.

“It would be better if I can do it at the world championships but if it happens anywhere else, I’d be happy, too.”

Her confidence is impressive and it’s easy to forget this is only So’s third season on the international circuit.

In year one, she was a valuable member of a winning women’s team. In year two, she consistently collected individual bronze medals. In year three? We’ll find out soon enough if the next step is the top step on the podium.

Whether it’s in 2019, 2020 or later, that win seems somewhat inevitable.

“I don’t think I’m a good archer yet. I’m still trying to be one,” said So. “I think self-confidence is important and I trust myself. I practice hard, I’m consistent and even if it takes time, that will make me good one day.

The second stage of the 2019 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Shanghai, China on 6-12 May.