Rain doesn't stop archers' golden shots

Archer Kim Jong-ho shoots in the men’s individual final at the Gwangju International Archery Center, Tuesday. Kim won the gold. / Courtesy of GUOC

By Nam Hyun-woo, Yoon Sung-won

GWANGJU ― Drizzling rain could not stop Korean archers from sweeping four gold medals out of five in the compound category as well as a silver and a bronze, Tuesday.

At the Gwangju International Archery Center, Kim Jong-ho became the first Korean triple gold medalist at the Gwangju Universiade, while his female teammate Song Yun-soo clinched two gold.

In the final of the compound men’s team event, the trio of Kim Tae-yoon, Yang Young-ho and Kim Jong-ho came from behind to snatch a dramatic 230-229 win over Mexico.

They were in a neck-and-neck race with Adolfo Medina Landeros, Mario Cardoso Lopez and Daniel Kevin Del Valle Castillo throughout four ends.

After shooting 57 in the first end, the Koreans followed the Mexicans who shot 59, including three consecutive 10s in the last three attempts.

The two countries tied at 115-115 after the second end, but the Mexicans again took a one-point lead with 172-173.

The slight gap was retained until the six men had just one shot each. Coming within an inch of a loss, the Koreans shot 9, 10 and 10. However, the Mexicans under heavier pressure shot three consecutive 9s.

Hours later, Kim Jong-ho bagged another gold, winning the mixed doubles compound with Song. The duo defeated India’s Kawalpreet Singh and Jyothi Surekha Vennam 157-150. Kim completed his feat by beating his compatriot Kim Tae-yoon 147-145 in the men’s compound individual final.

“The compound event is just getting popular in Korea. We will work harder to set a good example for the athletes who will follow,” the triple gold medalist said. “We cannot say that we are the best yet. But we can reach the top at the upcoming world championship in Denmark.”

Song stood at the top of the podium for the second time after a fierce fight against Slovenia’s Toja Cerne in the women’s individual final. The two tied at 143-143 after each shooting 15 arrows, and they both shot 10 in the extra shoot-off, but Song’s shot was close to the X.

Judokas prove skills again

Korean judokas proved their skills and strength again to clinch three gold medals and a bronze, Tuesday, increasing their gold medal winning streak for the fourth consecutive day.

Jeong Bo-kyeong was the first Korean judoka to bring gold to the host country.

He beat Brazil’s Gabriela Chibana by a wazari in the women’s -48 kilogram final at the Yeomju Bitgoeul Gymnasium in Gwangju. She pushed Chibana ahead from the beginning and tripped her opponent up to win a wazari 30 seconds into the match.

In the following men’s -60 kilogram final, Kim Won-jin won against Japan’s Yuma Oshima by a yuko.

In the women’s open final, Kim Ji-youn won against China’s Kang Jie by a wazari with a shoulder throw. The referee initially gave Kim an ippon for her shoulder throw, but the judges changed it to a wazari later. Kim finished the match by winning a yuko with another shoulder throw with less than 30 seconds left.

Kim, who beat a much heavier opponent with a shoulder throw, said: “It was the first time to bring down an opponent who is 40 kilograms heavier than I am since high school.”

Ji Geun-bae bagged a bronze after beating Lithuania’s Karolis Bauza by an ippon in the men’s open category.

Shooter clings to silver

Shooter Kim Mi-so clinched a silver medal in the women’s 50m rifle prone at the Naju Jeollanamdo Shooting Range.

Kim shot 622.4 points, following Iran’s Mahlagha Jambozorg’s gold with 623.5 points. Thai shooter Sununta Majchacheep also scored 622.4 points, but had to settle for bronze because she scored points over 10.3 37 times, compared with Kim’s 38.