Turkish compound archer Hazal Burun sets 18-metre record at 598

The compound women’s 18-metre qualification world best has officially edged one point closer to the all-important perfect 600 – an unbeatable mark – but Hazal Burun’s 598-point record round earlier this year went completely unreported.

Shot on 5 January in Antalya, the Turkish team member’s score was ratified as a new world and European record (senior and under-21) on 5 February.

“I always wanted a record of my own. It was one of my goals. I believed in myself and it helped a lot,” said the 19-year-old. “When I got on the line [that day], I shut myself away from my surroundings. All there was, was myself and the target.”

“I knew what mattered, and I kept doing that until the end.”

Stuck at 595 points for five years since Erika Jones shot that score at the world indoors in 2014, current world number one Ella Gibson upped it a point in November 2019 before it was quickly beaten by Sarah Prieels’ 597 one month later.

Burun’s new world best may have flown under the radar – but it is no less significant in the ongoing (and probably imminent) quest for 18-metre perfection in the compound women’s category.

“Having broken a world record, I see that an athlete can manage anything when they believe – and make steady progress,” said Hazal today. “I’m very excited and proud of myself.”

The Turkish archer is one of 19 youth athletes competing in the under-21 competition at this week’s European Indoor Championships in Varaždin. She has secured the top seed in the category with 590 points after today’s qualifying round.