In an exciting development for Indian sports, Kisik Lee from South Korea is set to become the new head coach of India’s national recurve archery team. This transition comes as Indian archers gear up for their journey to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to finally clinch that coveted Olympic medal.
Replacing compatriot Baek Woong Ki, who stepped down after his accreditation for the Paris Olympics 2024 was denied, Lee brings a wealth of experience to the Indian setup. The 67-year-old coach is expected to officially take over between August and September. His role will encompass both senior and junior recurve setups, laying the groundwork for a more competitive archery team on the global stage.
Archery holds a special place in India’s sporting landscape, but despite consistent participation in the Olympics, the nation is yet to secure a medal in this discipline. With Kisik Lee at the helm, hopes are high that this will change. As he steps into this prestigious role, he aims to raise the bar and help Indian archers find their footing on the Olympic podium.
Kisik Lee’s past is a testament to his coaching prowess. With over three decades of experience, he started his international coaching career with the South Korean national team. From there, he moved on to coaching in Australia, leading archers like Simon Fairweather to a gold medal in Sydney 2000, as well as Tim Cuddihy, who won bronze in Athens 2004.
One cannot overlook his successful tenure with the USA recurve archery team. Over the years, he has helped American athletes win more than 300 World Cup medals, including three Olympic medals. His strategic approach and deep understanding of archery have transformed athletes and elevated the standards of the sport on multiple occasions.
Kisik Lee’s contributions also include mentoring Brady Ellison, a five-time Olympic medallist and the 2019 recurve world champion. This alone speaks volumes about his capability to develop talent and drive success.
The expectations now rest on Kisik Lee to replicate this success in India. His vision for the national team includes extensive training and mentorship for both athletes and coaches. As he stated, “My job is to train the athletes and the coaches – and the archers show good results in the process.” This focus on developing a strong foundation is crucial for India’s aspirations in archery.
The Archery Association of India (AAI) is fully backing Lee, with treasurer Joris Paulose Ummacheril declaring that all of his demands have been met. Lee will have full autonomy to implement his training plans, a crucial factor that could enable him to extract the best potential out of the Indian archery team.
The excitement is palpable within the archery community and among fans as the groundwork for the future of Indian archery is laid down. With extensive training set to take place in New Delhi and the regional training centre in Sonepat, athletes will have access to world-class coaching and infrastructure.
The steps being taken now are not just about the 2028 Olympics. They represent a cultural shift in the way archery is perceived and practiced in India. The push for Olympic glory is massive, and with Kisik Lee leading the way, there is an optimism that Indian archers can finally see their hard work rewarded on a global stage.
As the indomitable spirit of the Indian archers continues to grow, it remains to be seen how Kisik Lee’s experience and innovative coaching methods will impact the future of archery in the country. Each training session, each competition, each challenge faced will be pivotal in crafting a competitive edge that India has been yearning for.
So, while the path to success may be fraught with challenges, one thing is clear – with Kisik Lee on board, the arrow is aimed straight at the target of Olympic success. The countdown to LA 2028 starts now, and optimism has never been higher for Indian archery. Can Kisik Lee be the catalyst for change in this pursuit? Time will tell as he and his team embark on this thrilling journey.