Two archers can both shoot a “perfect” round and still be talking about different records. One may have shot at 18 metres indoors; another, outdoors at 70 metres. Archery records are tied to the round, distance, equipment and category—not simply to who put the most arrows in the middle.
That is why a record list can look complicated at first glance. Here are the main kinds you’ll encounter, and what makes each one count.
Round and scoring records
The most familiar records are scores for a defined round: a set number of arrows shot at specified distances and targets under a particular rule set. A score is only comparable with another score from the same round and category. The target face, scoring zones, arrow count and conditions all matter.
For example, in a common outdoor Olympic-style recurve qualification round, an archer shoots 72 arrows at 70 metres. The maximum is 720 points. A compound qualification round commonly uses 72 arrows at 50 metres, also with a 720-point maximum, but the target and scoring rules differ. The identical ceiling does not make the two performances interchangeable.
Indoor records are another category. A widely used World Archery indoor round has 60 arrows at 18 metres, with a maximum of 600. Other indoor rounds use different distances or formats. The record must match the exact event, rather than just being labelled “indoor.”
Records by distance and discipline
Archery records are separated by the kind of shooting as well as by distance. Recurve, compound and barebow are distinct equipment divisions, and their results are not placed in one combined record table. Rules can also distinguish between indoor and outdoor events, target archery and field archery, and particular rounds within those disciplines.
- Target archery: Archers shoot at marked distances on a flat range. Records are commonly listed by round and distance.
- Field archery: Competitors move between targets on a course, often shooting uphill or downhill and judging unfamiliar distances. Course and scoring formats affect what can be compared.
- Flight archery: The objective is distance, not a high target score. Records depend on the bow division and the rules for measuring the shot.
Clout archery, where arrows are shot high toward a ground-level target, and other specialist formats can have their own event records too. These records belong to their specific disciplines; a target-round score cannot be compared with a flight distance.
Individual, team and mixed-team records
Records may describe one archer’s performance or the combined result of a group. In team qualification, for instance, several archers each shoot a set number of arrows and their scores are added. Mixed-team records combine one man and one woman in divisions where the rules provide for that format.
A team record is not the same thing as a team match victory. In head-to-head competition, a team may win by taking sets or points, while a qualification record is generally based on the total score from a prescribed round. Match formats and tie-break rules vary, so a winning score from one match is not automatically a record comparable with another.
| Record type | What it measures | What must match |
|---|---|---|
| Individual round | One archer’s total score | Round, division, category and rules |
| Team qualification | Combined score of a team | Team size, format and round |
| Mixed team | Combined result for a mixed pair | Division and competition format |
| Flight distance | How far an arrow travels | Bow class and measurement rules |
Records by age, category and competition
Official lists may divide records by sex, age group, bow division and para-archery classification. A junior record, for example, recognizes a performance in an eligible age category; it is not simply a lower version of an adult record. Para-archery records likewise follow the classifications and event rules used by the governing body.
There are also records associated with a particular competition. Olympic records are a familiar example. They apply to the Olympic event and its rules, while a world record applies to the relevant record-eligible round across approved competitions. A result at a major championship may be a championship record without being a world record.
It helps to separate three ideas: a world record is recognized by an international governing body; a national record is recognized by a country’s federation; and a tournament record is the best mark at a particular event. The same score could fit more than one category, but each has its own approval process.
What makes a performance an official record?
A huge score does not become a record just because it appears on a results sheet. The event must meet the relevant federation’s requirements. These can include approved equipment and targets, the correct course or round, qualified judges, score verification and timely submission of the claim. Outdoor records may also be subject to rules about wind conditions or how the event is conducted.
Record categories and eligible rounds can change as governing bodies update their rules. If you’re checking a particular mark, look for the official record list from World Archery or the national federation responsible for it. Confirm the archer’s division, category, event and round—not just the number beside their name.
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- Types of Playing Surfaces in Archery: Indoor, Outdoor, and Field
- How Are Archery Records Measured? A Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a perfect score always a world record?
No. A perfect score may have been achieved by other archers, and it only applies to its specific round and category. It must also be shot in an event that meets the governing body’s record requirements.
Can a compound archer hold the same record as a recurve archer?
They can shoot the same numerical score in some formats, but records are kept separately by equipment division because the bows and, in some cases, scoring rules differ.
What is the difference between a world record and an Olympic record?
A world record applies to an approved event or round recognized internationally. An Olympic record is specific to the Olympic competition format. A score can be one, both or neither, depending on the event and existing marks.
Are match wins and winning streaks archery records?
They may be tracked as statistics by a tournament, federation or media outlet, but they are different from official score or distance records. Match formats can vary, so streaks need a clear definition to be compared fairly.
Final Thoughts
Archery has records for round scores, distances, teams, age and classification categories, and specific competitions. The key is context: a record only means something when you know what was shot, with which equipment, under which rules and in what category. Once those details are clear, the numbers tell a much more interesting story about the performance behind them.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.