Li Jiaman

Lore & Background

Li Jiaman began practicing archery as a child after her parents encouraged her to take up a sport for fitness. She had a friend who was learning archery, which led her to start the sport. She plays for the Beijing Archery Team and is coached by He Ying, a silver medalist from the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Her early career included a silver medal in the women's team event at the 2013 12th National Games alongside Zhu Yuwei and Zhao Ling. At the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, she won gold in the mixed international team event with Luis Gabriel Moreno of the Philippines, and the following day she defeated Melanie Gaubil of France in a shoot-out to win the girls' individual gold medal.

Li Jiaman continued competing in national and international events, earning medals at the National Games and National Championships. In June 2023, she was part of the Chinese women's recurve team that finished as runner-up at the Archery World Cup in Medellin, Colombia.

Reader's Guide

Li Jiaman's significance lies in her achievements as a youth archer representing the host nation at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics in Nanjing. As the sole Chinese archer in the competition, she won two gold medals—one in the mixed international team event with Luis Gabriel Moreno and one in the girls' individual event against Melanie Gaubil. These victories highlighted her skill under pressure, particularly the individual final decided by a shoot-out. Her career includes multiple national medals, such as silver and bronze at the 12th and 13th National Games, and a runner-up finish with the Chinese women's recurve team at the 2023 Archery World Cup in Medellin. Coached by Olympic silver medalist He Ying, Li Jiaman represents a link between China's Olympic archery tradition and its emerging talent. Her early start in archery, prompted by a friend's involvement, reflects a common pathway into the sport. Her legacy is primarily defined by her Youth Olympic success and her continued presence in national and international competitions.

Did You Know?

• Li Jiaman was the sole representative of host-country China in the archery competition at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.
• She won the girls' individual gold medal at the 2014 Youth Olympics by defeating Melanie Gaubil of France in a shoot-out.
• Her coach, He Ying, won a silver medal in archery at the 1996 Summer Olympics.