Korea aims for 10 golds for top 10 finish in Rio

By Baek Byung-yeul

With less than 30 days to go before the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the Korean delegation to the quadrennial global sporting event aims to clinch at least 10 gold medals for a top 10 finish.

“I am certain that the sweat and toil of Korean athletes will bear rich fruits 30 days from now,” said Kim Jung-haeng, co-president of the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) during a pre-event media day at the National Training Center in Seoul, Tuesday. “We will do our best to win a top 10 finish in the Olympic medal count.”

Korea has set a goal to win at least 10 gold medals, which would be the country’s fourth consecutive top 10 Olympic finish. Korea was ranked fifth in medal standings at the 2012 London Olympics with 13 gold medals, eight silvers and seven bronze medals, the highest since the country placed fourth at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

For the first-ever Summer Games in the South American country from Aug. 5 to 21, Korea will dispatch 208 athletes in 24 sports ― except basketball, tennis, rugby sevens and triathlon.

Archery, shooting, taekwondo: potential gold medal sports

Gold medals are mainly expected from archery, pistols and taekwondo.

Korea has been a powerhouse in archery ever since the team competition was added at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, claiming 19 gold medals among a total of 28 up to the London Games.

Comprising three male and three female athletes, the Korean archery team aims to sweep all four archery medals in Rio ― men’s and women’s individual and team competitions.

Female archer Ki Bo-bae sets her sights on defending women’s individual for the second consecutive time and the women’s team competition for the eighth consecutive time.

In shooting, sharpshooter Jin Jong-oh, 36, aims to become the first Korean to win gold medals in three consecutive Olympics. Jin bagged three gold medals in the past two Olympic Games. Female shooter Kim Jang-mi, gold medalist in the women’s 25-meter pistol in London, also targets more gold in Rio.

With Jin and Kim, Korea expects at least two gold medals in Rio. Ever since Korea won its first silver medal in 1988, the country has won six gold medals, seven silvers and one bronze.

One major point of interest is whether Son Yeon-jae can bring Korea’s first-ever Olympic medal in rhythmic gymnastics.

The 22-year-old made her Olympic debut in London and placed fifth in the all-around finals. Son has raised expectations of an Olympic medal, winning two gold medals, eight silver and five bronze in five rhythmic gymnastics world cups this year.

North Korea to send 36 athletes

North Korea will compete in Rio, according to U.S.-based Radio Free Asia (RFA).

The report said Tuesday that North Korea will dispatch 36 athletes, including 10 weightlifters and six marathoners.

North Korea sent 51 athletes in 10 sports to the 2012 London Games and proved its power in weightlifting as it grabbed three of four gold medals. Reigning Olympic champ Om Yun-chol in the men’s 56-kilogram will defend his gold medal in Rio.

Star athletes featured in Rio

Some athletes withdrew from the Rio Games over Zika virus and security issues, but despite the concerns, star athletes will gather in the Brazilian city to grace the sporting event.

Michael Phelps of the United States, who already garnered the most Olympic medals with 22, sets to break his own record in Rio.

Jamaican runner Usain Bolt, who holds both the 100-meter and 200-meter world records, will also take part in Rio, vying to become the first man to win three consecutive 100-meter Olympic titles.

Serena Williams, who won four Olympic gold medals in tennis, also heads to Rio for her fifth gold.