The longest bow shot is just one of many jaw-dropping archery records out there.
Archers around the world have been setting impressive records for decades, and many of these record holders rank among the most famous archers in history.
If you’re the kind of person who loves archery stats and trivia like I do, you’ll also want to check out our collection of archery facts.
What Is The Longest Bow Shot And Other Archery Records
Here are some of the most remarkable records in the world of archery.
Notable Records in Archery
Modern archery equipment is incredibly sophisticated and precise, so the real challenge now is pushing the boundaries of accuracy at greater distances.
That’s why records keep falling. Each new mark pushes competitive archery further than anyone thought possible.
Farthest Archery Target Hit (Male)
On December 9, 2015, Matt Stutzman successfully hit a target with a distance of 930 ft (283.4 meters).
This was the farthest accurate shot in modern archery under World Archery Conditions.
Matt Stutzman was a disabled man and a member of the U. S.
Paralympic Archery Team in 2012.
The shot was completed under FITA (Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc) conditions.
An able-bodied person previously held the record.
Farthest Shot in Flight Archery
In 1987 Don Brown shot an arrow at an amazing distance of 1,336 yards 1’3” (1,222 meters).
Don Brown accomplished the record with a handheld Unlimited Conventional Flight Bow.
For Unlimited LongBow, Jeremy Spencer holds the best record with 415 yards (379.51 meters).
The Great Harry Drake was able to do farther, with a still unbeaten record of 2,047 yards (1871 meters).
Harry Drake did this in 1988 but with a Flight Crossbow or Unlimited Foot bow.
Harry Drake was a pioneer bowyer and made significant contributions in designing and building the early modern “Composite Bows.”
He also built the first-ever bow to shoot more than 600 yards since the day of Ancient Turks.
Recorded in the Southern California Archery Association Tournament on May 31, 1947.
A Drake bow designed in 1964 was able to shoot and record a distance of 1,077 yards on October 24, 1971, in the Official North America Archery Flight Championships.
Drake Bows are very popular and has a huge reputation for being very powerful, accurate, smooth, excellent shooters, and a tendency to not stack.
Largest Archery Tournament
The Largest Archery Tournament was achieved by theNational Archery in the Schools Program at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, from 9 to 11 May 2013.
It had a total of 9,426 participants for a total of 3 days.
Fastest Three-Circuit Underwater Archery Course Completion
Yohann Belpre (France) achieved the fastest three-circuit underwater archery course in just 54.74 seconds on the set of ‘Officially Amazing’ (CBBC) in Lyon, France, on 24 June 2014.
Greatest Height to Shoot and Catch an Arrow
Anthony Kelly (Australia) achieved the greatest height to shoot and then catch an arrow at 51.2 m (167.979 ft.), in New South Wales, Australia, on 12 December 2018.
Heaviest Longbow Draw Weight
The maximum draw on an arrow was achieved by Mark Stretton (UK) after drawing a longbow weighing 90 kg (200 lb.) to the length 82.5 cm (32 ½ in).
The bow was made of yew wood-backed with hickory by Bickerstaff Bows (UK).
The arrow was made of aspen (poplar) and fired at a target approximately 5 yards away from the archer.
It was recorded on 15 August 2004 at the shooting grounds of The Bath Archers, Somerset, UK.
Farthest Arrow Shot Using Feet
Brittany Walsh (USA) achieved the farthest arrow shot using the feet is 12.31 m (40 ft 4.64 in) at Creston School in Portland, Oregon, USA, on 31 March 2018.
Brittany is a Circus and Theatre Performer.
She has been performing her record-breaking skill for more than 11 years.
Most Light Bulbs Hit With Arrows In Three Minutes (team of two)
Marco Vitale and Oscar De Pellegrin (both Italy) have both recorded the number of light bulbs hit with a total of 11 in 3 minutes shooting arrows with recurve bows.
It was recorded on the Lo Show Dei Record set in Milan, Italy, on 19 April 2009.
Most arrows shot simultaneously From a Longbow
Hamish Murray (UK) had the most arrows shot simultaneously with a total of 12 from a longbow and was achieved at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot, UK, on 27 July 2014.
Most Balloons Burst With a Single Bolt Shot From a Crossbow Backwards
Ian Stewart recorded the most balloons burst in a single bolt shot with a total of 13 from a crossbow backward.
It was achieved in North River, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 3 June 2026.
Fastest Time to Shoot 10 Arrows
Joseph McGrail-Bateup (Australia) completed the fastest time to shoot ten arrows into a 40 cm target from an 18 m distance in 1 min 0.03 seconds.
Joseph used a longbow for this attempt.
It was achieved in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, on 17 November 2026.
Most Amount of Arrows Caught By Hand In a Two-Minute Span
Joe Alexander (Germany) recorded the most arrows caught by hand in two minutes is 43 and was achieved at a distance of 8 m (26 ft. 2.96 in) from two archers.
It was achieved at Mosan e.V. in Hamburg, Germany, on 17 November 2010 during the celebration of Guinness World Records Day 2010.
Most Arrows Caught By Hand In Two Minutes While Blindfolded
Chayne Hultgren, aka “The Space Cowboy,” recorded the most arrows caught blindfolded with a total of 7 in two minutes.
Hultgren achieved this record by catching arrows shot by Zoe Ellis (both from Australia) in Byron Bay, Australia, on 9 May 2017.
Zoe Ellis used a 20-pound hunting bow.
Most Arrows Caught By Hand In One Minute
Joe Alexander (Germany) caught the most arrows by hand with a total of 15 in one minute and was achieved on the set of ‘Lo Show Dei Record’ in Rome, Italy, on 18 April 2012.
Most Target Hits On A Revolving Platform In One Minute Thru A Mirror
Anthony Kelly (Australia) recorded the most archery hits of a revolving target in one minute using a mirror with a total of 5 and was achieved in New South Wales, Australia, on 18 December 2013.
The condition for this record was to not look directly at the target.
However, he could only aim by looking into a mirror.
Anthony had to fire at a single target set on a rotating wheel.
Anthony attempted and failed to succeed on this record on an Indian TV in 2011 on the set of Guinness World Records.
Due to this failed record attempt, Anthony built the required wheel and target in his hometown of Armidale and managed to succeed in breaking the record with five hits.
Longest Archery Marathon
Ton van Eekeren (Netherlands) recorded the Longest Archery Marathon, with a total of 30 hours and 16 minutes, and was achieved in Almere, Netherlands, on 14 August 2015.
Eekeren scored a total of 20,638 points from a total of 2,340 shots.
Most Archery World Cup Wins
Brady Ellison (USA) achieved The Most Archery World Cup wins with a total of five, achieved in the men’s recurve in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2026.
Sara López (Colombia) won the most in the women’s compound in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2026.
Most Points Scored by an Individual in 24 hours Under World Archery Outdoor Conditions
This record is for the highest archery score achieved outdoors in 24 hours at a distance of 30 meters (98.42 ft.), and a target size of 80 cm (31.49 in).
This record is to be attempted by an individual and was measured in points according to standard World Archery outdoor scoring rules.
Most Points scored in 18-meter Indoor Compound Archery (Female)
Sarah Prieels (Belgium) achieved the most points scored in 18-m indoor 60-arrow compound archery by a female archer with a total of 597 out of 600
It was recorded at the TRUBall/Axcel Roma Archery Trophy in Rome, Italy, on 14 December 2026
Ella Gibson held the record for three weeks with a total shot 596 until Prieels broke it later in the indoor compound record at the Indoor Archery World Series event in Luxembourg
Most Archery Women’s Compound World Cup Wins
Sara López achieved the most wins of the Archery World Cup women’s compound title with a total of 5, in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 & 2026.
Tied with Brady Ellison (men’s recurve).
López beat Natalia Avdeeva 149-139 in Moscow and claimed her third consecutive (and fifth overall) women’s compound title, in Russia on 6 September 2026.
Most Points Scored in 18-meter Indoor Recurve Archery (Male)
The Most points scored in 18-metre indoor recurve archery was achieved by Brady Ellison scoring 599 out of 600 at 2016/17 Indoor Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Nimes, France.
Recurve archer Ellison broke his own world record of 598, set just two months earlier in Marrakesh, Morocco, on 20 January 2017,
Most points scored in 30-metre 36-arrow recurve archery (Female)
Han Hee-ji (South Korea) successfully recorded 360 out of a possible 360 - with 22 arrows shot within the inner ring of the gold target - at the 47th National All-Star Archery Tournament.
It was achieved in Yecheon, South Korea, on 18 September 2015.
All World Archery 36-arrow records must be set as part of a full 1440 round, which comprises 144 arrows shot over four distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m and 90 m for men, and 30 m, 50 m, 60 m and 70 m for women.
Most Points Scored In An Archery 1440 Round (Compound, Female)
Sara López (Colombia) achieved The most points scored in an archery 1440 round (compound, female) with a total of 1,424,
The event took place at the XX Juegos Nacionales “Carlos Lleras Restrepo” in Ibagué, Colombia, on 10 November 2015.
Known as a FITA round until 2014, a 1440 round comprises 144 arrows shot over four distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m and 90 m for men, and 30 m, 50 m, 60 m and 70 m for women.
López’s round of 1,424 included a score of 356 out of 260 at 50 m - also a world record.
Most Points Scored In An Archery 1440 Round (Compound, Male)
Mike Schloesser (Netherlands) achieved the most points scored in an archery 1440 round by a male with a compound bow with a total of 1,421, in Boekel, Netherlands on 30 August 2026.
Known as a FITA round until 2014, a 1440 round comprises 4 sets of 36 arrows shot over different distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m and 90 m for men, and 30 m, 50 m, 60 m and 70 m for women.
Schloesser scored 352 out of 360 at 90 m, 356 at 70 m, 353 at 50 m and 360 at 30 m.
He broke a record that had stood for 11 years.
Most Points Scored In An archery 1440 Round (Recurve, Male)
Kim Woo-jin (South Korea) recorded a total of 1,391 from a possible 1,440 points at the 95th National Sports Festival on Jeju Island, South Korea on 30 October 2014
His score included a world record of 352 in the 70 meters 36 arrows.
Known as a FITA round until 2014, a 1440 round comprises 144 arrows shot over four distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m and 90 m for men, and 30 m, 50 m, 60 m and 70 m for women.
Most Archery Men’s Recurve World Cup Wins
Brady Ellison (USA) achieved the most wins of the Archery World Cup men’s recurve title with a total of five in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2026.
Organized by World Archery, the Archery World Cup was instituted in 2006 and comprises four separate events around the world and a final.
Brady Ellison beat Mauro Nespoli with a 6-2 victory and won his fifth Champion title in Moscow, Russia on 7 September 2026.
He shares the overall record for World Cup titles with Sara Lopez (women’s compound).
Most Archery World Cup Men’s Compound Wins
Sergio Pagni (Italy) achieved the most wins of the FITA (Fédération Internationale de Tir à l’Arc) Archery World Cup in the Men’s Compound event with a total of two, in 2009 and 2010.
Highest Points in Female 70-metre 72-arrow Recurve Archery (Outdoor)
Kang Chae-young (South Korea) achieved the most points scored in 72-arrow 70-meter outdoor recurve archery by a female with a total of 692.
She beat her own world record by one point.
It was recorded during the ranking round at the 2026 World Archery Championships in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands on 10 June 2026.
In outdoor target archery, the 72-arrow round is a preliminary round used to ascertain seedings for the head-to-head match play rounds.
Each arrow - shot from a distance of 70 m - can earn a maximum of 10 points for hitting the 12.2-cm-diameter inner ring on the target, offering a total possible score of 720.
Most Points Scored in 70-meter 36-arrow Outdoor Recurve Archery (Male)
Oh Jin-hyek (South Korea) scored 353 points from a possible 360 at the 32nd Korea Archery Association President Flag Tour in Yecheon, South Korea on 29 August 2015.
All World Archery 36-arrow records must be set as part of a full 1440 round, which comprises 144 arrows shot over four distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m and 90 m for men, and 30 m, 50 m, 60 m and 70 m for women.
Most Points Scored In 50-meter 72-arrow Outdoor Recurve Para Archery (W1, Male)
David Drahonínský (Czech Republic) achieved the most points scored in 50-m 72-arrow outdoor recurve para archery is 680,
It was recorded at the Para Archery European Cup Circuit event in Olbia, Italy on 30 April 2026.
W1 (also known as AW1) athletes compete from a seated position and have an impairment that affects their arms, legs, and trunk.
Drahonínský beat his own world record by four points.
Scores are out of a possible 720 points.
Most Points Scored In 90-meter 36-arrow Outdoor Recurve Archery (Male)
Kim Woo-jin (South Korea) scored 343 from a possible 360 points at the 49th National All-star Archery tournament in Yecheon, South Korea on 13 September 2017.
He beat Oh Jin-hyek’s 2009 record by one point.
All World Archery 36-arrow records must be set as part of a full 1440 round, which comprises 144 arrows shot over four distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m, and 90 m for men, and 30 m, 50 m, 60 m, and 70 m for women.
Highest Score in Female 50-metre 36-arrow Recurve Archery (Outdoor)
Kim Gyeongeun (South Korea) scored 351 from a possible 360 at the 36th Wha-Rang Flag District Match Archery Tournament in Yecheon, South Korea, on 19 July 2015.
She beat a 12-year record by a single point.
All World Archery 36-arrow records must be set as part of a full 1440 round, which comprises 144 arrows shot over four distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m, and 90 m for men, and 30 m, 50 m, 60 m, and 70 m for women.
Most Points Scored in 50-meter 36-arrow Outdoor Compound Archery (Female)
Sara López (Colombia) achieved the most points scored in 50-meter 36-arrow outdoor compound archery (female) with a total of 356 out of 360.
It was recorded at the XX Juegos Nacionales “Carlos Lleras Restrepo” on 10 November 2015 in Ibagué, Colombia.
All World Archery 36-arrow records must be set as part of a full 1440 round, which comprises 144 arrows shot over four distances: 30 m, 50 m, 70 m and 90 m for men. And 30 m, 50 m, 60 m and 70 m for women.
Most Points Scored in 50-meter Outdoor Recurve (male)
Kim Woo-jin (South Korea) achieved the most points scored in 50-meter 36-arrow outdoor recurve archery by a male with a total of 352.
It was recorded at the 100th National Sports Festival in Seoul, South Korea, on 6 October 2026.
The previous record of 351 points, set by Kim Kyung-Ho, had stood for 22 years, making it the oldest standing outdoor archery record.
Archers can score a possible 360 points in the event.
Most Points scored in 70-meter 72-arrow Outdoor Recurve (Male)
Brady Ellison (USA) achieved the most points scored in a 70-m 72-arrow round in outdoor target archery with a recurve bow by a male archer with a total of 702 in Lima, Peru, on 7 August 2026.
Ellison shot his record score in the preliminary ranking round of the 2026 Pan American Games.
He beat Kim Woo-jin’s record of 700, set at the 2016 Olympic Games.
In outdoor target archery, the 72-arrow round is a preliminary round used to ascertain seeding for the head-to-head match play rounds.
Each arrow - shot from a distance of 70 m - can earn a maximum of 10 points for hitting the 12.2-cm-diameter inner ring on the target, offering a total possible score of 720.
Frequently Asked Questions
Matt Stutzman nailed a target at 930 feet (283.4 meters) on December 9, 2015. That's the farthest accurate shot under World Archery conditions. The truly incredible part? Stutzman is a U.S. Paralympic Archery Team member who shoots without arms.
Flight archery is all about maximum distance. The arrow just needs to go as far as possible without hitting any specific target. Target archery records, on the other hand, require precision at a set distance. Harry Drake's flight record of 2,047 yards with a foot bow still stands, while Matt Stutzman holds the farthest accurate target hit.
South Korea dominates outdoor recurve scoring records. Athletes like Kim Woo-jin and Kang Chae-young keep pushing the bar higher. The USA is well represented too, especially through Brady Ellison, who holds multiple World Cup titles and the men's 72-arrow outdoor recurve record.
Final Thoughts
These records prove just how far raw skill and dedication can take the sport of archery. Matt Stutzman's 930-foot accurate shot and Harry Drake's nearly mile-long flight distance didn't happen by accident. They represent thousands upon thousands of hours of focused practice.
Whether you shoot casually or compete seriously, records like these show what's actually possible with a bow.
