Korea Sweeps Golds in Recurve Events
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korea swept the recurve team events at the Archery World Championships in Ulsan, Tuesday, while the women's compound team settled for silver.
The men's recurve team rallied to defeat France 222-220 in the final at the Ulsan International Archery Field to claim their fifth straight title at the biennial tournament since 2001, while the women's squad ousted Japan 224-209 on its way to a fourth straight victory.
Meanwhile, Korea won a silver medal in the women's compound final in its maiden appearance after dropping Russia 215-209 a day earlier in the semifinals.
The Korean men's recurve team, comprised of Lim Dong-hyun, Oh Jin-hyek and Lee Chang-hwan, took a 167-165 lead until the third end, but struggled with the first three shots and allowed their opponents to take a 193-192 lead.
In their final three attempts, the Koreans were perfect, hitting all 10 points in each to grab a narrow two-point victory, as France scored all nines.
"It was our most hard-fought match since the Beijing Olympics last year. I give lots of credit to my teammates for this gold medal,'' Lee said.
"We trained really hard for the event. My teammates really performed well,'' Oh said.
On the women's side, Joo Hyun-jung, Kwak Ye-ji and Yun Ok-hee stood atop the podium after yet another easy win in the recurve.
They had defeated all their opponents by more than nine points en route to the title match.
The Korean women, who have dominated the team event at the Summer Olympics since 1988, finished the first end 55-54, but extended its advantage to seven in the second.
After entering the final end with a 10-point cushion, Korea clinched the title with ease.
"My team played with composure and we did not let our guard down until the end of the game,'' Joo said after the match.
"I'm really glad to win a gold medal. With this winning feeling, I will try my best in the individual event,'' said Kwak, who turned 17 on the day.
Meanwhile, the Korean women's compound team had a good game against world No. 1 Russians and gained a lead midway through the race, but Seok Ji-hyung received two penalties in a row in the third end, which left Kwon Oh-hyang, who followed her, with little time for her turn.
Forced to fire quickly, Kwon failed to hit the target, which allowed Russia to come from behind to clinch the title.
"It is a great pity, but we did not have experience and will try hard not to let it happen it again,'' Kwon said.
"We had trouble training because the compound is not as widespread as the recurve, but the team's support contributed to us to reaching the final. We will seek a gold medal in two years," she added'
The compound bow uses a levering system.