Bauer first German woman to be named world number one

German archer Katharina Bauer has succeeded Brit Bryony Pitman as the world’s number-one-ranked recurve woman following her break-out season in 2022. Bauer also finished second at the Sud de France Archery Tournament in Nimes a few weeks ago.

Despite a storied recent history, Germany has never before had an archer in the category top the Sanlida World Archery Rankings.

“It’s a big honour,” said Bauer. “It’s the reward for my 2022 season, for my hard work over the last years and for all the hard times I went through. It’s something that will stay in my mind and my heart forever.”

Last year, the 27-year-old took bronze at the European Championships, made two final fours on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit – and collected Germany’s first-ever mixed team win on the international tour, in Gwangju.

She concluded the year with an inaugural Hyundai Archery World Cup Final appearance, finishing seventh.

“I learnt a lot [last season],” she said. “I really learnt to trust myself, to trust in my shot and to trust my process.”

Bauer has said previously that she needed a result after missing out on the German team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She’s expected to be a core member of the squad campaigning for a quota to Paris over the coming months.