Top-ranked archer determined to use early world championships exit as fuel

After taking an early exit from her second straight World Archery Championships on Friday, Korean star Lim Si-hyeon said she will try to use her squandered opportunity as fuel.

Lim, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in women's recurve, lost to Diananda Choirunisa of Indonesia 6-4 (28-27, 25-30, 28-27, 26-8, 29-28) in the quarterfinals of the individual event in Gwangju, Jeolla Province.

In individual recurve matches, archers each take three arrows per set, for a maximum score of 30 points. A set is worth two points and a tie is worth one point. The first to reach six points is the winner.

Lim, 22, had also lost in the quarterfinals at her world championships debut in Berlin two years ago. Lim then went on to win three gold medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and arrived in Gwangju as world No. 1 and favorite to claim her first individual world title.

But Lim didn't even get to sniff a medal on this rainy Friday, two days after settling for the bronze medal in the women's team event.

"The weather conditions were just fine. It wasn't all that breezy," Lim said. "I just didn't shoot well today."

Lim admitted to feeling the burden of being the reigning Olympic champion, saying she didn't feel she had enough experience to handle that kind of pressure.

"This is all learning experience for me," she said. "I think this will motivate me going forward. It will allow me to identify what I need to work on for the future."

Lim thanked the home crowd for their support throughout the week.

"I think I was able to make it this far thanks to their boisterous cheering," Lim added.