The weekend, which is set to draw over 3,000 amateur and professional archers, begins with the first-ever World Archery Gala, an award ceremony dedicated to recognising excellence across the sport in a range of different categories.

Awards will be given for the men's and women's Olympic bow style division, the men's and women's compound division, which have been voted for by the fans, as well as international coach and also newcomer of 2014.

Spectators in the American city will be hoping for a repeat of the historic Indoor Archery World Cup event in Nimes last month where Dutch world champion Mike Schloesser became the first athlete in the sport's history to shoot a perfect score of 600.

The Indoor Archery World Cup takes place on Saturday (February 7) before the lucrative Vegas Shoot competition rounds off the weekend in style.

A dramatic finale will see the world's top professional archers compete in a sudden death shoot-off with a generous prize pot at stake.

The 2014 event saw a record number of participants but this is set to be broke once again this weekend, with a 20 per cent increase expected, which has been put down to archery's exposure in the Hunger Games and Hobbit films.

Fans in Las Vegas will be hoping for a repeat of Mike Schloesser's record-breaking performance at the last Indoor Archery World Cup in Nimes ©Getty Images





"I am very excited about this weekend's events in Las Vegas, particularly our first World Archery Gala," World Archery President Uğur Erdener said.

"It is these fans and athletes that contribute so much to our sport and we wanted to ensure that their voice was heard and they were internationally recognised for all that they do.

"I am sure this inaugural World Archery Gala will be a spectacular celebration of everything that makes our sport grow, and continue growing.

"The huge participation numbers at this year's Vegas Shoot, another large increase from a record-breaking 2014, is clear evidence of this expansion."

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