Ki Bo-Bae

Ki Bo-bae was born on February 20, 1988, in Anyang, South Korea. Her introduction to archery occurred at the age of eleven through a primary school extracurricular program. Her talent was quickly recognized, leading her to compete professionally. By 2010, she was a member of the South Korean national archery team, marking the beginning of a decorated international career. She pursued higher education at Gwangju Women’s University and is currently working towards a doctorate degree.

Ki Bo-bae achieved significant success early in her career, including winning a team gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games. Her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Summer Olympics saw her secure two gold medals in the women’s individual and women’s team events. She continued to accumulate titles, including World Archery Championships and Archery World Cup wins. In 2015, she set a new world record for the 72-arrow round with 686 points at the Summer Universiade in Gwangju, surpassing an eleven-year-old record. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, she earned her third Olympic gold medal in the women’s team event and a bronze in the individual competition, cementing her status as one of archery’s most decorated athletes.

Following her third Archery World Cup victory in 2017, Ki Bo-bae announced her marriage in September of that year. After a period away from intense international competition, during which she focused on her education and family, she returned to the national trials in 2023. While she did not make the top four for international representation, her influence remains strong. She has expressed interest in working with Paralympic athletes and disabled children, and she actively participates in educational initiatives, including a rumored role as a lecturer for an archery class at Seoul National University, demonstrating her continued commitment to the sport and community.