Although winning an Olympic gold medal in archery was one of the defining moments of her life, as it was the start of South Korea’s global reputation in archery, Hyang Soon Seo’s influence in the sport didn’t end there. Today, she shapes the future of young archers as the head coach of students at HSS Sports Academy.
Seo’s road to success wasn’t always smooth, though. Despite making the South Korean Olympic team in her junior year of high school (before she won the Olympic gold medal at just age 17), she was soon removed after a dip in her performance. It was a humbling experience for her, and she admits she had become arrogant from her early success.
Yet, Seo describes this moment as her life’s turning point because it led her to truly contemplate what the sport meant to her. She had to decide for herself: she could either coast through her last year of high school or recommit to archery one last time.
“I’m not really sure why I decided to commit to archery again,” Seo said. “I don’t even know how I thought of it because I didn’t have anyone – no coaches or mentors – to guide me to that decision.”
Seo’s tireless determination and drive have shaped her into the accomplished athlete and coach she is today.
That same drive characterizes Seo’s approach to coaching her students. She had initially moved to the US intending to lead a quiet life as a housewife. However, when news articles revealed that an Olympic gold medalist was living in Irvine, CA, aspiring archers and their families near the area began to approach her, asking for her coaching. Through word of mouth, word of Seo’s warm, disciplined coaching style gradually gained a reputation and drew in aspiring archers from both far and wide.
What began as a couple of casual lessons and coaching sessions slowly became a bustling academy. Seo sees coaching archery not as a job, but as a second chance to continue loving the sport she’s already dedicated countless hours to and fought to reclaim. From one student to over a hundred today, Seo has built a coaching legacy that continues to grow. Last year, Seo coached three archers who qualified for the USA Team and was awarded the 2024 USA Archery Developmental Female Coach of the Year.
When asked who she would like to dedicate this award to, she said, “Our HSS kids!” Seo shared that every time she looks into the eager eyes of her students, she feels a renewed sense of purpose to coach every single student to the fullest of her abilities. This unwavering determination, not just in her career as an athlete but also to pass her knowledge and skills down to the next generation, is what truly defines Seo’s lasting legacy.
