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Uzbekistan adds men’s quota for first Olympic archery appearance

17 June 2024

Antalya, Türkiye

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Amirkhon Sadikov celebrates Uzbekistan’s first-ever Olympic quota.

Amirkhon Sadikov won the final Olympic qualifier to book Uzbekistan’s first-ever recurve men’s quota place to the Games as archers from Bangladesh, Cuba, Vietnam and the Czech Republic also booked slots.

Sadikov was simply excellent in Antalya.

The world number 38 seeded top in the tournament, cruised through his early rounds and then found another gear when the competition hit the quarterfinals, averaging 29 points a set through his last three matches.

“I was really waiting for this day,” Sadikov said. “Thank you to my coach, my country for all the support. I have been working really hard to achieve this.”

Uzbekistan had already qualified a women’s quota at the continental qualifier in Asia.

“We have limited days to prepare but we are confident to put up a good show in our first Olympics,” said Sadikov.

The 20-year-old beat Sagor Islam in a straight-set final to end the day.

Islam’s shoot-off win over Adam Li of the Czech Republic had already made him the second archer from Bangladesh to ever qualify for the Olympics – and Li eventually booked the fifth available slot as the highest-ranked quarterfinal loser.

Sagor’s shoot-off arrow was an excellent 10.

“Last time we struggled a lot, there were a lot of sacrifices made, no family time, no vacation, and a lot of practices. So, I’m very happy today,” he said.

“I feel proud about it. I hope to make this chance count in Paris.”

Ruman Shana is the only previous archer from Bangladesh to win a quota spot at the Games.

It was an emotional day for Cuba’s Hugo Franco.

He dedicated his bronze medal – and Olympic quota – to his parents, who have both died since the beginning of the year. Both Franco’s last-16 and quarterfinal matches went the full five sets.

“It’s been very hard and very long work. And here we are, we are at the Olympics,” said Franco, in tears after booking the slot.

“This year, especially, has been very hard. I wanted to dedicate my triumph to them.”

The hiring of former Korean head coach Park Chaesoon seems to have made a difference in Vietnam. Chaesoon headed a team that won four gold medals at the last Olympics – and now he’s taking Le Quoc Phong to the next.

No more Olympic quotas are available to win in competition.

Two teams per gender will be awarded slots based on the world ranking list issued on 24 June, followed by reallocations and universality invitations.

Podium: Recurve men

Amirkhon Sadikov, Uzbekistan
Sagor Islam, Bangladesh
Hugo Franco, Cuba

Le Quoc Phong (Vietnam) and Adam Li (Czech Republic) also booked Olympic quotas with top-five finishes.

Olympic quotas won at the Final Olympic Qualifier

Azerbaijan: 1 (1 woman)
Bangladesh: 1 (1 man)
China: 3 (3 women)
Chinese Taipei: 6 (3 men, 3 women)
Cuba: 1 (1 man)
Czech Republic: 1 (1 man)
Great Britain: 6 (3 men, 3 women)
India: 1 (1 woman)
Iran: 1 (1 woman)
Malaysia: 3 (3 women)
Mexico: 3 (3 men)
Moldova: 1 (1 woman)
Poland: 1 (1 woman)
Slovakia: 1 (1 woman)
Ukraine: 1 (1 woman)
Uzbekistan: 1 (1 man)
Vietnam: 1 (1 man)

The final quota places to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be awarded on the world ranking list (two teams per gender) issued on 24 June, followed by reallocations and universality invitations.