Event runs through Wednesday at Munsu International Archery Center

649 athletes from 38 countries competing

Participants in the 2026 Korea Ulsan World Gungdo Championships pose for a photo at the opening ceremony held at Munsu International Archery Center in Ulsan on Friday evening. [Ulsan city government]
Participants in the 2026 Korea Ulsan World Gungdo Championships pose for a photo at the opening ceremony held at Munsu International Archery Center in Ulsan on Friday evening. [Ulsan city government]

The 2026 Korea Ulsan World Gungdo Championships, organized by the World Archery Federation (WAF) and the Korean Archery Association, opened Friday and will run through Wednesday at Munsu International Archery Center in Ulsan.

Held under the slogan "Ulsan, birthplace of the bow — shoot toward the world!", the competition draws 649 athletes from 38 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Oceania. Competitors will contest individual and team events at distances of 145 meters, 90 meters, 70 meters and 30 meters.

On Monday, the WAF will hold its general assembly at the Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where delegates will discuss amendments to the federation's charter and consider approving nine new member nations, including Australia, Belgium and Bhutan. Finals and an awards ceremony are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Throughout the competition, the outdoor grounds of Munsu International Archery Center will host public programs for residents and tourists, including traditional weapon and hanbok experiences, electric horse riding and commemorative photo printing.

"This championship is an opportunity for Ulsan — the birthplace of the bow, represented by the 'archer-hunter' depicted in the Bangudae Petroglyphs carved some 7,000 years ago — to showcase the excellence of Korea's traditional archery culture as a global center of the sport," an Ulsan city official said.


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