Yun Mi-jin

Lore & Background

Yun Mi-jin first competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where she placed 4th in the individual ranking round with a score of 661. In the round of 16, she broke the Olympic record in the women's 18-arrow match by defeating Alison Williamson of Great Britain 173 to 164. She went on to win the gold medal in the final, defeating Kim Nam-soon 107–106 by a single point. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she placed 3rd in the ranking round with a 72-arrow score of 673. In the round of 32, she defeated Sayami Matsushita of Japan 173–149, tying her own Olympic record. She was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Yuan Shu-chi of Chinese Taipei, finishing 5th overall in the individual event. Yun also competed in the 2002 and 2006 Asian Games, winning gold medals in the team event both times, and a bronze medal in the individual event in 2002.

Reader's Guide

Yun Mi-jin's career is defined by her Olympic achievements and her record-setting performance in the 18-arrow match. She set the Olympic record for that format at the 2000 Games and matched it four years later, demonstrating consistency at the highest level. Her three Olympic gold medals place her among the most decorated archers in the sport's history. The 2000 individual gold was decided by a single point, highlighting the precision required in elite archery. Her loss in the 2004 quarterfinals ended South Korea's chance to sweep the individual medals, underscoring the competitive depth of the field. Beyond the Olympics, her gold medals in the team event at the 2002 and 2006 Asian Games show her sustained contribution to South Korea's dominance in international archery. As a former world number one, Yun's legacy includes both individual excellence and team success, with her Olympic record standing as a benchmark for the women's 18-arrow match.

Did You Know?

• Yun Mi-jin holds the Olympic record for a women's 18-arrow match at 173 out of 180.
• She set the record at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and matched it at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
• She won the 2000 Olympic gold medal by a single point, defeating Kim Nam-soon 107–106.
• She won gold in the team event at both the 2002 and 2006 Asian Games.