Reported by Deon of the South African Chapter (Instagram: chinesearcherysouthafrica https://www.instagram.com/chinesearcherysouthafrica/)
Qing Military Examination, 26 September 2026
Our first Historical Archery event was an open invite to all, including beginners. The event was hosted by Deon de Lange (administrator of the Chinese Archery South Africa) and Kano Gibson (Innate Horseback Archery). Visitors were given a quick introduction to Chinese archery by Deon or Tertiary Horse Archery by Kano, and split up according to which style they were interested in.
We had a wooden horse with Kassai horse archery targets set up, as well as a 5 ring Tunken target, and the Qing Military Examination target with 3 marked distances at 30, 50 and 80 gong.
The Tunken target and wooden horse was very popular.
After the general teaching and open shooting, sign-up for the official Qing Military Examination was optional. 8 archers took part in the examination, which was very casual, with Deon and another scorer keeping score from the shooting line.
The target distances were measured the old way, with a strung Yarha III. It was very easy and quick, walking the bow and turning it tip over tip as you count gong. No rangefinder or other measuring devices necessary, and I feel the accuracy is good enough and any variation is acceptable.
We found it was easy to note hits from the scoring line if 2 or 3 people were keeping watch. A hit anywhere on the 180x80cm target counted. A lot of time was spent looking for arrows behind the target, which was of a type that the arrows go through. I’m thinking next time, I will ask that only archers with their own personal equipment shoot, so that I am not responsible for their missing arrows.
We did not do an official warmup round, though I will include this next time, nor was there any judging of form. We only focused on shooting. Each archer shot one at a time, allowing shots to be noted.
Sign up for the official examination was optional, and we had 8 archers of varying experience take part. Manchu style and equipment was not a requirement, but all of this is noted for the records.
We found the 50gong target very challenging indeed, with no hits noted. Same with the 80gong target, with was not included in the official shoot. More practice needed!
All-in all – a very successfull event!
Thank you
Deon de Lange
South African Chapter
International Manchu Archery Association
Results of Qing Military Archery Examination:
Venue: Helderberg Target Archery Club, Cape Town, South Africa
Date: 26 September 2026
Weather: Clear and Sunny with minimal wind
Target: 180cmx80cm Qing Military Examination
Distances: 30 Gong and 50 Gong (1 Gong = Length of strung Yarha III tip to tip)
6 arrows from each distance.
IMAA Members:
Deon de Lange
Yarha III 45#
Manchu Ring
30 Gong Score: 4/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
Anton Binedell, age 52
Zhu Di Fiberglass 45#
Bare Thumb
30 Gong Score: 3/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
Emilio Ferreira, age 32
Yarha III Long Version 60#
Manchu Ring
30 Gong Score: 2/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
Non-members:
Christiaan Maasdorp, age 51
Yarha III 35#
Gao Ying Ring
30 Gong Score: 1/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
Ross Kirby, age 34
Zhu Di Fiberglass 35#
Deep Hook Thumb Ring
30 Gong Score: 1/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
Frans Hills, age 54
Zhu Di Fiberglass 35#
Mediterranean
30 Gong Score: 0/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
Alan Munro, age 64
Zhu Di Fiberglass 35#
Bare Thumb
30 Gong Score: 0/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
Christiaan Watkins, age 14
Zhu Di Fiberglass 35#
Mediterranean
30 Gong Score: 0/6
50 Gong Score: 0/6
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