Korea’s recurve men reach Shanghai final after tense quarterfinal
Korea may have defeated USA to reach the recurve men’s team final, but it was their quarterfinal match against China that was the most eventful at Shanghai 2025, the second stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup.
Olympic gold medallists Kim Woojin, Lee Woo Seok and Kim Je Deok beat the host nation 6-2 – but it was far from a typical match, marked by loud, passionate celebrations from both archers and coaches that electrified the Yuanshen Sports Centre.
The intensity stunned spectators and fellow athletes alike – something rarely seen on the World Cup circuit.
“When I shout or yell things like ‘fighting’, releasing that energy definitely does help me calm my nerves and focus better,” said two-time Olympian Je Deok. “I suppose it’s different for every athlete, though. There are some who release their energy very quietly, and then others, like myself.”
“When I was in Tokyo at my first major competition, I was a bit nervous and ended up shouting out because I did not want to leave anything on the table.”
Korea and China, like many teams, typically exchange encouragement after every shot to boost morale, but the sound level of celebration and emotion got increasingly louder as this match wore on.
Je Deok and China’s Kao Wenchao were certainly the most vociferous, with one moment seeing the Korean archer let out a roar and slam his bow to the ground, unleashing the kind of energy rarely seen in archery.
The intensity was unmatched.
“I really don’t like disturbing other teams during competitions, but when you’re constantly on the receiving end of things, it starts to pile up,” Je Deok explained. “In this case, I was more vocal to keep our team’s energy together. I had no ill intentions and would never do something unsportsmanlike.”
“Our next match against the United States of America was very quiet – very sportsmanlike – and that’s what I prefer. I think that match against China ended up getting heated, and things happened in the heat of the moment.”
Though the drama may have overshadowed the scoreline slightly, Korea’s comeback was impressive in itself. After losing the first set 55–57, last year’s two-time World Cup gold medallists fired back with three commanding sets: 58, a perfect 60 and 59.
Despite the high-octane nature though, there was still time for respectful handshakes at the target once Korea’s victory was confirmed – a nod to archery’s deep-rooted sportsmanship.
After a brief 10-minute break, Je Deok and his teammates faced the USA in the semifinals, whom they defeated in a calm and clinical straight-sets performance. Christian Stoddard, Brady Ellison and Jack Williams eventually won bronze against India.
All-time great Ellison, watching closely, admitted he’d never seen anything quite like it on the World Cup circuit.
“I understand it, though. If teams are very frustrating to shoot against... and I did find it kind of funny,” said the 36-year-old. “It also quietened them (China) down – so don’t poke the bear, I guess.”
In contrast, the recurve women’s team field was a far quieter affair. But the final on Sunday will once again feature Korea and China, continuing a recent rivalry that played out at Paris 2024 and in World Cup finals in Shanghai and Yecheon last year.
Chinese Taipei claimed the recurve women’s team bronze medal, defeating Mexico.
Action in Shanghai continues this afternoon with the compound men’s and women’s eliminations.
Finals: Shanghai 2025
- Recurve men team: Korea versus France
- Recurve women team: Korea versus China
Watch coverage from Shanghai live with a subscription to archery+.
