Gwangju "City of Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace" World Archery Championships Concludes

731 Athletes from 76 Countries Compete in 10 Disciplines
South Korea Ranks First Overall, Proving Its Archery Dominance
International Sports City Status Solidified as the "Mecca of Archery"
Finals Held at 5·18 Democracy Square, Showcasing t

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung congratulates archer Kang Chaeyoung, who won the gold medal in the women's individual recurve event, at the awards ceremony of the "Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships" held on the 12th at the special stadium in 5.18 Democracy Square. Provided by Gwangju City

The "Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships," which had energized Gwangju since the 4th, concluded successfully on the 12th. The event brought together 731 athletes from 76 countries, who competed fiercely in 10 recurve and compound categories. Through its successful hosting of the competition, Gwangju once again demonstrated its capabilities as an international sports city. In particular, by holding the finals at 5·18 Democracy Square, the city effectively showcased its identity as a "city of democracy, human rights, and peace" to the world.

This championship created significance that extended far beyond a simple sporting event. By using 5·18 Democracy Square-the site of the May 1980 democratization movement-as the stage for the finals, Gwangju’s historical value was broadcast live to a global audience. The central urban location, with its excellent accessibility, helped drive a high ticket sales rate of 77.3%, reflecting the enthusiastic participation of the citizens.

Gwangju also successfully integrated sports with local culture and tourism, presenting the concept of "Enjoy Gwangju All Day." Promotional booths for the "2025 Visit Gwangju Year," hands-on experiences such as extended reality (XR) archery games, and host city tours for foreign athletes all highlighted the city’s unique appeal. The connection with local festivals such as "G-Festa" and convenient transportation support helped transform the event into a cultural festival that went beyond a mere sports competition.

On the 12th, former President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook watched the women's individual recurve event of the "Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships" held at the special stadium in 5·18 Democracy Square. Provided by Gwangju City

The success of the event was made possible by the active participation and dedication of Gwangju’s 1.4 million citizens. Despite being held without opening or closing ceremonies, over 2,000 people gathered for the citizen-led pre-event "Opening Show: Land of the Bow," marking the start of the festivities. Around 300 volunteers and 3,200 citizen supporters contributed to the event’s success, fulfilling their roles even in inclement weather. The inclusive operation of the championship, which considered aspiring young archers and spectators with disabilities, also stood out as a highlight.

South Korea reaffirmed its status as the world’s leading archery nation by finishing first in the overall medal standings at this event. The national team secured gold in the men’s recurve team event and the women’s individual recurve event (Kang Chaeyoung), along with medals in other key categories, demonstrating the strength of Korean archery.

The organizing committee set a new standard for sustainable international sporting events by supporting archery technology development in less developed countries (ODA) and promoting the use of reusable items, leaving a model example for future international competitions.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung stated, "The successful hosting of the Gwangju 2025 Hyundai World Archery Championships is a valuable achievement made possible by the support of 1.4 million citizens and their passion for archery. Through this event, Gwangju has once again imprinted its capabilities and potential as an international sports city on the world stage."

Mayor Kang added, "Gwangju will now go beyond being a simple host city, evolving into a global sports platform city that communicates with the world through sports, shares culture, and revitalizes the local economy."