I step onto the shooting line. Adrenaline fills my entire body. I take a deep breath, releasing my nerves, as I repeat the steps in my head. Finally, I raise my bow. Draw. Aim. Shoot! 

On February 17-18, I competed in the 2024 Indoor National Championships for recurve archery: the grand finale of the indoor season. (Recurve refers to the shape of the bow and the event is featured in the Olympics.) A competition consists of 60 arrows, which are shot at a distance of 18 meters. The targets, typically 40 centimeters in diameter, have ten rings. The innermost ring is about the size of a nickel.

After a slow start on the first day, I scored 70 points higher on the second day. 

I competed with the SW Archery Academy, taught by coach Sungwoo Shin, at local, state, and national level tournaments throughout the year. My performance at national events contributes to my national ranking. The top five archers nationally in each age group earn the “USAT” title, which stands for United States Archery Team. My goal is to qualify for the national team. 

Archery tournaments are when my teammates and I spend meaningful time together, whether playing card games in the hotel lobby or sharing grapes before the competition. 

My inspiration to begin archery was my sister, Michelle Ahn ’23, who began shooting around four years before me and is now on the team at Columbia. After watching the 2016 Olympics, she wanted to try for herself. Ever since I was little, I would travel to tournaments with her, cheering her on. 

While I have always looked up to her as an archer, I initially hesitated to pursue the sport. Because my coach is in New Jersey, my family must drive there every weekend in order for me to receive lessons. I am grateful for my parents, who dedicate much time and effort to supporting me. Due to this huge time commitment, I often cannot spend my weekends socializing, sleeping in, or visiting my neighbors. During the long car rides, I try to mentally reset by listening to music and looking out the window. However, as schoolwork piles up, I often find myself scrambling to complete essays and studying for upcoming tests in the back of my mom’s minivan. 

While archery has definitely tested my time management skills and mental resilience, I am beyond grateful for the experience. Thanks to this sport, I have traveled around the country, including Massachusetts, where nationals were located. Archery allows me to exercise, destress from school, and joke around with my teammates. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of hitting the bullseye!