‘Swaak’ Arrows Cry, Archers Gather... Daegu Gungdosaranghoe Founding Archery Competition

Members of the Daegu Gungdosaranghoe who held the first archery competition to celebrate the founding anniversary.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Archers from the Daegu area gathered to hold their first archery competition. The 'Daegu Gungdo Saranghoe' announced on the 22nd that it held the 1st Archery Competition at Beomeo Gungdojang in Palgongjeong, Suseong-gu, Daegu, on the 20th to commemorate its founding.

The competition held at the Palgongjeong archery range was conducted with the participation of local archers to celebrate the establishment of the 'Daegu Gungdo Saranghoe,' which was launched last month. This group decided to continue holding competitions to enjoy traditional Korean archery (Gukgung) through the bowstring and to preserve the tradition.

An Jin-wook, president of Daegu Gungdo Saranghoe, said, "We established the region's first private Gukgung organization to revive traditional culture and carry on the spirit of Korean archery, and held an archery competition."

President An said, "Starting with the first competition, we aim to promote Gukgung, increase membership, and contribute to popularizing it as a traditional sport."

Daegu Gungdo Saranghoe was launched as a purely private organization involving local archers. It plans to carry out various activities such as fostering interest and hobbies in archery and training athletes.

Composed of about 100 members, including former athletes, the organization plans to collaborate with the Office of Education to introduce Gukgung classes in schools starting in 2024.