An San (Hangul: 안산; Hanja: 安珊, born 27 February 2001) is a South Korean archer who has made a significant impact on the world of archery. Competing in women’s recurve events, she has emerged as a dominant force in the sport, setting records and achieving remarkable success at a young age.
An San etched her name in the annals of Olympic history at the 2020 Summer Olympics. In a stunning display of skill and determination, she clinched three gold medals, becoming the first archer in Olympic history to achieve this feat at a single Games. Her victories came in the women’s team event, mixed team event, and individual event, solidifying her status as one of the greatest archers of her generation.
Not only did An San claim three gold medals, but she also set a new Olympic Record during the Women’s Individual Archery’s Ranking Round. With an exceptional score of 680 points, she surpassed the previous record of 673 points set by Ukrainian archer Lina Herasymenko at the 1996 Summer Olympics. This remarkable achievement further underlined An San’s exceptional skills and her ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage.
An San’s journey to Olympic glory began in the early stages of her career. In 2017, she competed at the World Archery Youth Championships, where she won her first medal in the mixed team event. This early success laid the foundation for her future achievements and hinted at her immense potential.
Her international debut came at the 2019 Archery World Cup stage 4 in Berlin, where she made an immediate impact. An San displayed her prowess by winning gold in the women’s individual event, gold in the mixed team event, and bronze in the women’s team event. This breakthrough performance served as a launching pad for her subsequent accomplishments and marked her arrival on the international archery scene.
In 2020, An San’s skill and dedication were on full display as she achieved a score of 1400 in the WA 1440 Round. This outstanding performance showcased her consistency and set her apart as a force to be reckoned with in the world of archery.
An San’s defining moment came at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Partnering with Jang Min-hee and Kang Chae-young, she secured the gold medal in the women’s team event. In the mixed team event, she joined forces with Kim Je-deok and claimed another gold medal. A notable incident during the tournament was the Robin Hood arrow, in which An San’s arrow penetrated the arrow fired by Kim Je-deok. This extraordinary display of precision drew attention and highlighted An San’s exceptional accuracy.
In the individual competition, An San emerged victorious, defeating Elena Osipova of Russia to clinch her third gold medal of the Games. This remarkable achievement made her a triple gold medalist and cemented her status as one of the brightest stars in archery history.
However, An San’s success has not come without obstacles. She has faced online harassment from Korean anti-feminists who have criticized her short haircut and her enrollment at Gwangju Women’s University. Despite these challenges, An San has shown immense resilience and has become a symbol of empowerment for women. Her short haircut has even inspired solidarity among women who have adopted the hairstyle in support.
In the aftermath of the Tokyo Olympics, An San continued to shine on the world stage. She participated in the 2021 World Archery Championships in Yankton, teaming up with Kang Chae Young and Jang Min Hee to win the gold medal in the women’s team event. This victory marked the 14th time that the South Korean women’s team had claimed the world title, further solidifying their dominance in the sport.
An San’s success extended to the mixed team event at the World Archery Championships, where she paired with Kim Woo-jin to dispatch Russia in straight sets and secure the gold medal.
While An San fell short of gold in the women’s individual event, she displayed unwavering dedication and resilience. Despite losing in the semi-finals to Casey Kaufhold of the United States, she bounced back and claimed the bronze medal, further adding to her impressive medal collection.
An San’s impact on archery and women’s history cannot be overstated. Her remarkable achievements, record-breaking performances, and unwavering spirit have made her an inspiration for aspiring archers and young women around the world. Through her skill, determination, and resilience, she has cemented her place among the all-time greats of the sport and has left an indelible mark on Olympic history.
Awards:
– Three gold medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics (women’s team event, mixed team event, and individual event)
– Gold medal in the women’s individual event at the 2019 Archery World Cup stage 4
– Gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2019 Archery World Cup stage 4
– Bronze medal in the women’s team event at the 2019 Archery World Cup stage 4
– Gold medal in the women’s team event at the 2021 World Archery Championships
– Gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2021 World Archery Championships
– Bronze medal in the women’s individual event at the 2021 World Archery Championships