Gwangju is set to host the World Archery Championships in 2025. In a Monday briefing, the city’s mayor, Lee Yong-seop, said the city beat Madrid in a vote of the World Archery Federation’s executive Board.

The federation also announced the news on its website, saying the Korean city was selected ahead of the Spanish capital with ten votes to one.

Some eleven-hundred athletes from 90 countries take part in the championships, which boast a 90-year history. This is the third time South Korea will host the event following tournaments in Seoul in 1985 and Ulsan in 2009.  

Gwangju was also chosen to replace Shanghai as the Asian leg of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup due to ongoing travel restrictions in China. A decision on the host of the 2022 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final is expected before the spring, with a deadline of 31 January set for interested cities to complete their bids.

Mayor Lee pledged to make full use of the city's success in hosting mega global sports events such as the 2015 Summer Universiade and the 2019 World Swimming Championships.