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History made: USA defeats Korea after 20 attempts in thrilling shoot-off

5 June 2025

Antalya, Türkiye

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USA defeated Korea for the first time in history in the recurve women’s team semifinals to book their spot in Sunday’s gold medal matches at the third stage of the 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.

Casey Kaufhold, Jennifer Mucino and Catalina Gnoriega tied Korea’s lineup of Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist Lim Sihyeon and Tokyo 2020 winners An San and Kang Chaeyoung 4-4 after four sets, forcing a shoot-off.

Archery’s sudden-death format is designed to separate winner from loser a touch clearer, but even then… the margin was razor thin. Both teams shot 11, 10, 9. USA’s 11 – not X due to the 11-ring being tested at Antalya this week - was deemed closer, cementing a historical victory.

It marked the first time the USA has defeated Korea in a major competition after 20 attempts.

“Since I’ve been on the team, we haven’t beaten them, so it’s really exciting,” said a smiling Gnoriega, moments after the USA recurve men’s team came over to congratulate them.

“It’s always exciting, I think, for anyone to beat Korea. They are the best archery nation in the world. So it’s a lot of respect. I’m thrilled about it.”

Ever since she won the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Yankton as a 17-year-old, Kaufhold has often carried the flag for USA recurve women, winning 12 international individual medals across indoor and outdoor events over the past four years.

World Championships, Indoor World Series, World Cups, Pan American Games – you name it, Kaufhold has medalled. She also won mixed team bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games paired with Brady Ellison.

But consistent women’s team podiums – especially outside the Americas – had eluded her.

Kim Woojin, Kim Je Deok and Lee Woo Seok reached a second consecutive World Cup final.

Now Kaufhold, Mucino and Gnoriega are guaranteed their second team medal of the 2025 World Cup season, after claiming silver in Central Florida. And a monumental effort against against Korea – serial Olympic gold medallists – suggests USA is back as a serious contender on the world stage.

“I think we’re definitely looking to better our silver from last time,” commented Gnoriega. “It’s never in the bag. We still have to go there and shoot our best, but I really think we can do it, and I’m really excited for Sunday.”

As disappointed as they were, the Korean women were gracious in defeat – as they so often are in victory.

They didn’t leave Antalya empty-handed, bouncing back to defeat Germany in straight sets in the bronze medal match.

“I felt they had improved a lot compared to when we met them last year and the year before,” said reigning Olympic Champion Lim. “We gave it everything we had, but the USA just shot better. Big congratulations to them.”

“Good luck to Team USA, I hope they take the title!”

Korea did live up to expectations in the recurve men’s team competition. Kim Woojin, Kim Je Deok and Lee Woo Seok dispatched Mexico, Italy and India en route to a second consecutive World Cup final, after also reaching the gold medal match in Shanghai.

They will face Germany, who is aiming for its first recurve men’s team World Cup gold since Lausanne 2021.

Action continues this afternoon in Antalya with compound men’s and women’s team eliminations.