In a proud moment for Bhutanese sport, archer Kinley Tshering emerged victorious at the prestigious Gyeyang Open 2025 in Incheon, South Korea, taking 1st place in the individual recurve category( Archer Kinley Tshering emerged victorious at the prestigious Gyeyang Open 2025 in Incheon, South Korea, taking 1st place in the individual recurve category (The match was played only among foreign players.)

The competition, held from May 20 to 25, brought together top-tier athletes from nine nations, with Bhutan standing tall on the podium.

Kinley’s commanding performance saw him defeat a skilled Japanese opponent in the final showdown, securing Bhutan’s place in the gold medal match. The event, known for its intensity and global participation, witnessed an elite four-archer final featuring players from Bhutan, Japan, and Russia. Adding to the nation’s triumph, Bhutan’s Sonam Penjor shared third place alongside a Russian competitor, both of whom demonstrated remarkable accuracy and mental composure throughout the event.

This edition of the Gyeyang Open drew 47 individual athletes representing 18 teams from nine countries, excluding the host, South Korea. Bhutan’s team—fielded by the Bhutan Archery Federation—included four archers, competing against formidable lineups from countries such as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Russia, and others.

Among the notable entries:

• China was represented by five players from San Ling Archery Club, Jian Jia Archery Club, JINJIAN, and unaffiliated athletes.

• Singapore fielded a large contingent of 18 players from The Archery Academy, Salt & Light Archery, and SE Archery.

• Other participants hailed from the Philippines (Tagudin Archery Club), Tajikistan (Specialized Sports School for Archery and Individual Neutral Athlete), Mongolia (National Team), Malaysia (Archer Studio Kuala Lumpur), Denmark, Japan (OHWA and Toyota), and Russia (CSP).

The event was especially significant for Bhutan, as all participating athletes were foreign nationals—raising the level of international competition and prestige. Kinley’s first-place finish, along with Penjor’s podium placement, not only reflects personal excellence but also highlights the country’s growing status in international archery circuits.

These results come as no surprise to those following Bhutanese archery closely. Since mid-April, the national team has been under the expert mentorship of South Korean head coach Park Youngsook, training intensively at the Bhutan Archery Federation’s centre in Langjophakha, Thimphu. The team’s commitment and structured training have been pivotal to this breakthrough.

As Bhutan prepares for the upcoming Asia Cup Stage 2 in Singapore, these results at Gyeyang are a promising sign of what’s to come. More than medals, this success brings validation for years of investment in the sport—and ignites hope for future international victories.

For a nation deeply connected to archery as both tradition and sport, Kinley and Penjor’s achievements represent more than individual milestones—they mark a national triumph on foreign soil.